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Wr'ri, 


\iH\V.  0^' 


WESTERM   BANK   NOTE  »  ENCCO  CHICAGO 


€©i.i.®eiri©ifs 


OF  THE 


■VOLTJI^^E    III  . 


[1870-1880.] 


SAINT    TAUL: 
PUBLISHED  BY    THE  SOCIETY. 

1880. 


F 

V.3 


PRKSg  OF 

JOHNSON,  SMITH  &  HARRISON, 

MINNEAPOLIS. 


PREFACE. 


The  Committee  on  Publication  are  gratified  in  being  able  to  send  out 
another  volume  of  Collections,  one  which  they  trust  will  be  received  with 
the  same  generous  favor  that  the  other  publications  of  the  Society  have 
been  accorded. 

It  is  now  ten  years  since  the  first  part  of  the  present  volume,(pages  1—138) 
was  issued.  We  had  expected  at  that  time  to  have  sent  out  parts  II  and 
III  more  promptly,  but  circumstances  which  we  could  not  control,  such  as 
want  of  means,  etc.,  prevented  the  more  prompt  issue  of  the  remaining 
portion  of  the  volume.  (Part  II  was  issued  in  1874).  But  it  must  not  be 
supposed  that  these  ten  years  was  a  period  of  inactivity  on  our  part. 
During  that  time,  in  addition  to  completing  the  present  volume,  the 
Society  published  two  other  large  volumes,  viz :  a  republication  of  the 
parts  composing  Vol.  I.  of  our  Collections,  a  work  of  519  pages,  issued  in 
1872;  and  also,  our  Vol.  IV.,  which  is  altogether  devoted  to  the  "History 
of  Saint  Paul,  and  County  of  Ramsey" — a  large  and  finely  illustrated 
volume,  of  475  pages,  published  in  1876.  Thus  the  Society  has,  within 
ten  years,  published  three  large  volumes  on  the  history  of  this  State, — 
certainly  an  activity  in  this  department  of  work,  which  we  believe  has 
been  surpassed  by  but  few  societies  in  our  country. 

The  designs  of  these  "Collections"  is  to  gather  up  all  the  historical 
facts  regarding  Minnesota,  or  its  people,  that  we  are  able,  from  such 
writers  as  will  contribute  them,  and  by  publishing  the  same,  at  once  pre- 
serve and  disseminate  the  information  contained  therein.  As  in  our 
Vol's.  I  and  II.,  the  present  volume  is  made  up  of  papers  and  addresses 
on  various  subjects  connected  with  our  histoiy,  memoirs  of  pioneers  of  the 
State,  and  of  its  public  men,  and  reminiscences  of  the  old  settlers  of  the 
same,  still  living.  A  miscellany  of  this  kind  seems  to  have  been  received 
with  much  favor  in  our  former  volumes,  and  we  believe  that  Vol.  Ill 
will  be  found  quite  as  interesting  and  valuable,  in  that  line,  as  either.  In 
contents  so  varied,  all  can  find  something  to  interest  them,  or  suit  their 
taste,  and  the  volumes  form  a  sort  of  store-house  of  materials  for  history, 
where  other  writers  can  get  information  and  facts  to  aid  them.  Most  of 
the  sketches  have  been  contributed  by  writers  of  fine  ability  and  high 
reputation  as  authors.  It  might  be  here  noted  by  the  commits  ee,  that  all 
statements  of  i  act  made  by  the  writers,  are  given  over  their  own  name 
and  on  their  own  authority,  and  the  Society  should  not  be  held  responsi- 
ble for  them. 


iv  MINIOISOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

It  will  be  observed  that  a  considerable  portion  of  this  volume  relates  to 
the  Indian  nations  which  once  occupied  all  of  our  State,  and  to  incidents 
of  the  "  Indian  period  "  of  our  history.  The  importance  of  securing  all 
that  we  can,  regarding  this  rapidly  disappearing  race,  will  be  recognized. 
In  a  few  years  they  will  be  so  nearly  extinct,  or  so  changed  in  customs 
and  religion,  that  the  primitive  Indian,  as  found  by  the  early  settlers  of 
Minnesota,  will  be  only  a  matter  of  history.  We  cannot  too  diligently 
collect  and  record  all  valuable  and  interesting  facts  regarding  them,  from 
those  who  can  supply  them.  Succeeding  generations  will  read  of  that 
people,  and  indeed  most  persons  do  now,  with  absorbing  interest.  The 
Indian  period  of  our  northwestern  histoi-y  will  be  the  most  romantic  and 
thrilling  chapter  in  the  records  of  its  discovery  and  settlement,  and  the 
history  of  the  Red  Race  is  so  interwoven  with  that  of  our  State,  that  it 
cannot  be  omitted,  and  therefore  devolves  on  us  the  duty  of  chroniclmg 
whatever  we  can,  regarding  them. 

Another  considerable  portion  of  the  i)resent  volume  is  given  to  memoirs 
and  obituary  sketches  of  the  pioneers  of  the  State,  and  others,  who  have 
been  prominently  connected  with  its  public  affairs.  The  design  was  to 
properly  record  the  part  borne  by  the  men  who  had  in  early  days,  helped 
to  mould  the  *'  plastic  elements  of  empire  "  in  our  commonwealth,  or  who 
had  taken  a  leading  part  in  public  life  more  recently,  and  to  do  just  honor 
to  their  memoirs.  The  value  of  biography  as  a  study,  is  becoming  more 
and  more  recognized,  as*all  will  observe  who  read  much  of  the  current 
literature  of  the  day,  and  the  committee  hoped  to  have  more  of  this  class 
of  contributions.  In  fact,  several  additional  ones  had  been  promised,  but 
were  not  received  m  time.  Only  two  or  three  complete,  formally  pre- 
pared memoirs,  are  given  in  this  volume.  The  rest  are  collections,  or 
groups  of  sketches,  by  different  persons.  It  appeared  to  the  committee 
that  this  form  would  be  found  valuable,  as  containing  the  estimates  of 
the  deceased,  from  his  different  associates,  and  thus  giving  a  many-sided 
view  of  the  subject,  from  different  stand  points. 

Nor  should  it  be  supposed  that  any  arbitrary  rule  governed  the  com- 
mittee in  the  inclusion  of  the  memoirs  printed,  or  the  exclusion  of  others 
not  given.  We  have  published  all  that  we  have  been  able  to  secure.  It 
is  our  design  to  give  in  these  collections,  a  well  written  memoir  of  every 
deceased  prominent  pioneer,  or  public  man  in  our  State,  from  the  begin- 
ning of  our  history,  down.  And  we  urge  our  members  and  correspondents 
who  may  have  the  material  and  opportunity,  to  enable  them  to  do  so,  to 
prepare  full  and  complete  memoirs  of  any  deceased  Minnesotian,  in  whose 
memory  they  may  feel  an  interest,  as  soon  as  possible  after  his  death,  and 
forward  the  same  to  us.  They  will  be  printed  as  fast  as  possible  in  these 
Collections,  and  should  any  delay  occur,  the  manuscript  will  be  carefully 
preserved  in  our  archives. 

Materials  for  the  biographies  of  the  earlier  settlers  of  our  State,  ought 
to  be  secured  from  the  subjects  themselyes.  These  pioneers  are  rapidly 
passing  away,  and  promptness  and  diligence  is  necessary  to  secure  their 


PREFACE.  V 

reminiscences  of  our  early  history.  Much  of  that  early  history  is  as  yet 
unrecorded,  and  exists  only  in  the  memory  of  these  aged  men,  and  must 
perish  at  their  death.  To  collect  and  record  these  facts,  is  one  of  the  most 
important  object§  of  our  Society,  and  we  cannot  admonish  our  members 
and  coiTespondents  to  too  much  diligence  in  that  field. 

We  had  hoped  to  be  able  to  illustrate  this  volume  with  portraits  of  sev- 
eral of  the  subjects  of  the  memoirs  contained  therein,  but  were  able  to 
secure,  in  season  to  include  in  it,  only  one  such  engraving,  that  ol  Rev. 
John  Mattocks,  kindly  furnished  by  his  son,  John  Mattocks,  Esq., 
of  Chicago,  which  is  appropriately  placed  as  a  frontispiece  of  the  volume. 
Diligent  efforts  will  be  made  to  secure  for  our  succeeding  volumes,  en- 
gravings of  all  our  pioneers  and  men  prominently  identified  with  our 
State  history,  which  can  be  obtained. 

In  closing,  we  may  justly  be  pardoned  a  word  regarding  the  Society 
itself.  It  is  now  thirty  years  since  it  was  organized,  though  it  is  only  dur- 
ing the  last  half  of  that  period  that  we  have  had  means  or  opportunity  to 
properly  carry  on  our  work.  The  Society  now  has  commodious  apart- 
ments, a  fair  income,  and  has  accumulated  a  valuable  and  choice  library 
of  9,000  bound  and  12.000  unbound  volumes,  of  which  700  are  Minnesota 
newspapers;  400  maps,  several  hundred  curiosities,  pictures,  manuscripts, 
etc.,  the  whole  valued  at  $50,000,  though  it  could  not  be  replaced  for 
much  more  than  that  sum.  This  collection,  to  a  large  extent,  has  been 
the  gift  of  our  friends;  and  in  the  hope  that  we  are  meriting  by  our 
dilitrencp,  and  good  management  of  the  trust,  those  generous  favors,  we 
send  out  these  "Collections."         COMMITTEE  ON  PUBLICATION. 

St.  Paul,  July,  1880. 


QRGANIZATION  OF  THE  SOCIETY. 


President— HON.  H.  H.  SIBLEY. 

Vice-Presidents— 1,   Hon.  A.  RAMSEY.    2.   Capi.^I.  BLAKELEY. 

Secretary  and  Librarian— J.  FLETCHER  WILLIAMS. 

Treasurer— HENRY  P.  UPHAM. 

Members  of  Executive  Council. 

Ex  Officio. 

His  Excellency,  John  S.  Pillsbury,  Governor. 

Hon.  Charles  A.  Gilman,  Lientenant  Governor. 

Hon.  Frederick  Von  Baumbach,  Secretary  of  State, 

Hon.  Orlen  P.  Whitcomb,  Auditor  of  State. 

Hon.  Charles  Kittelson,  Treasurer  of  State. 

Hon.  Charles  M.  Start,  Attorney-General. 
Elective. 
Gen.  C.  C.  Andrews,  St.  Paul,  Gen.  R.  W.  Johnson,  St.  Paul, 

Gen.  James  H.  Baker,  Manlsato,        Hon.  N.  W.  Kittson,  St.  Paul, 
Hon.  Jared  Benson,  Anoka.  Hon.  John  D.  Ludden,  St.  Paul, 

Hon.  John  M.  Berry,  Minneapolis,     Hon.  Wm.  R.  Marshall,  St.  Paul, 
Capt.  Russell  Blakeley,  Si.  Paul,        Charles  E.  Mayo,  Esq.,  St.  Paul, 
J.  B.  Chaney,  Esq.,  St.  Paul,  Rev.  E.  D.  Neill,  Minneapolis, 

Hon.  W.  P.  Clough,  St.  Paul,  Hon.  Alex.  Ramsey,  St.  Paul, 

Hon.  Gordon  E.  Cole,  Faribault,        Gen.  John  B.  Sanborn,  St.  Paul, 
Hon.  F.  R.  Delano,  St.  Paul,  Gen.  H.  H.  Sibley,  St.  Paul, 

Hon.  E.  F.  Drake,  St.  Paul,  Hon.  John  H.  Stevens,  Minneapolis, 

Hon.  Lewis  H.  Garrard,  Lake  City,   R.  0.  Sweeney,  Esq,,  St.  Paul, 
Col.  Earle  S.  Goodrich,  St.  Paul,       Henry  P.  Upham,  Esq.,  St.  Paul, 
Geo.  A.  Hamilton,  Esq.,  St.  Paul,     J.  Fletcher  Williams,  St.  Paul, 
James  J.  Hill,  Esq.,  St.  Paul,  Hon.  H.  B.  Wilson,  Red  Wing, 

Rt.  Rev.  John  Ireland,  St.  Paul,        Hon.  Thomas  Wilson,  Winona. 

Standing  Committees. 

Organization — E.  F.  Drake,  John  M.  Berry  and  Thomas  Wilson. 
Permanent  Building — R,  Blakeley,  J.  B.  Chaney  and  Jared  Benson. 
Finance — H.  P.  Upham,  J.  D.  Ludden  and  R,  W.  Johnson. 
Library — G.  A.  Hamilton,  H.  P.  Upham,  and  J.  F.  Williams. 
Puhlication — E.  S.  Goodrich,  John  Ireland  and  E.  D.  Neill. 
Property — Alex.  Ramsey,  J.  H.  Baker  and  Charles  E.  Mayo. 
Obituaries— W .  R.  Marshall,  C.  C.  Andrews  and  H.  B.  Wilson. 
Lectures— W.  P.  Clough,  G.  E.  Cole  and  J.  B.  Sanborn. 
Endowment  Fund — John  Ireland,  Jas.  J.  Hill  and  Jno.  H.  Stevens. 
freneral  Business — R.  0.  Sweeney,  F.  R.  Delano  and  L.  H.  Garrard. 


CONTENTS- 


Page. 
Prefax^e ijj_y 

Officers  of  the  Society y ^ 

Contents vii-viii 

•Relation  op  M  .  Penicault : 

1 — Introductory  note;  by  Rev.  E.  D.  Neill 1-4 

2— Translation  of  the  manuscript;  by  A.  J.  Hill 4-12 

Bibliography  of  Minnesota;  by  J.  F.  Williams 13-75 

A  Reminiscence  of  Fort  Snelling;  by  Mrs.  Charlotte  0.  Van  Cleve      76-81 
Narrative  of  Paul  Mazakootamane;  translated  by  Rev.  S.  R. 

l^iggrs 82-90 

Memoir  of  ex-Gov.  Henry  A.  Swift;  by  J.  F.  Williams 91-98 

Sketch  of  John  Other  Day;  by  Gen  H.  H.  Sibley 99-102 

A  Coincidence;  by  Mrs.  Charlotte  0.  Van  Cleve 103-107 

Memoir  of  Hon.  James  W.  Lynd;  by  Rev.  S.  R.  Riggs 107-114 

The  Dakota  Mission;  by  Rev.  S.  R.  Riggs 115-128 

Indian  Warfare  in  Minnesota;  by  Rev.  S.  W.  Pond 129-138 

Fort  Snelling;  Col.  Levenwokth's  Expedition  in  1819. . 

1— Note;  by  the  Committee  on  Publication 139-140 

•  2— Journal  of  May  Thomas  Forsyth 140-167 

Memoii'  of  Jean  Baptiste  Faribault;  by  Gen.  H.  H.  Sibley 168-179 

Memoir  of  Capt.  Martin  Scott;  by  J.  F.  Williams 180-187 

Napehshneedoota,  a  Dakota  Christian;  by  Rev.  T.  S.  Williamson  188-191 

Memoir  of  Hercules  L.  Dousman;  by  Gen.  H.  H.  Sibley 192-200 

Memoir  of  Joseph  R.  Brown 

1 — Paper  read  before  the  Minnesota  Editorial  Association ; 

by  J.  F.  Williams '. 201-204 

2— Sketch  in  the  St.  Paul  Pioneer;  by  Earie  S.  Goodrich. ...  204  208 

3— Editorial  in  the  St.  Paul  Press;  by  J.  A.  Wheelock 208-212 

Memoii-  of  Hon.  Cyrus  Aidrich;  by  J.  F.  Williams ,  213-221 

Memoir  of  Rev.  Lucian  Caltier;  by  Rt.  Rev.  John  Ireland,  D.  D.  222-230 

Memoir  of  Hon.  David  Olmstead;  by  J.  F.  Williams 231-241 

Reminiscences  of  the  Early  Days  of  Minnesota 

1— Paper;  by  Hon.  H.  H.  Sibley 242-277 

2— Note;  by  the  Committee  on  Publication 277-288 


Vlll  CONTENTS. 

Page. 
The  Sioux  or  Dakotas,  of  the  Missouri  River;  by  Rev.  Thomas  S. 

Williamson 283-294 

Memoir  o'f  Rev.  S.  Y.  McMasters,  D.  D;  by  Earle  S.  Goodrich. .  295-303 

Tributes  to  the  Memory  op. Rev.  John  Mattocks 

1— Obituaiy  sketch  in  St.  Paul  Dispatch;  by  J.  F,  Williams  304-307 
2 — Remarks  at  a  meeting  of  the  Society;  by  Hon.  H.  H. 

Sibley  307-310 

3 — Remarks  at  a  meeting  of  the  Society;  by  Gen.  John  B. 

Sanborn 310-312 

4 — Letter  to  John  Mattocks,  Esq.,  of  Chicago;  by  Rt.  Rev. 

John  Ireland,  D.  D 312-313 

Life  and  Public  Services  of  Hon.  Willis  A.  Gorman.  . 

1 — Obituai-y  notices  compiled  from  various  journals 314-827 

2 — Eulogy  pronounced  before  the  Ramsey  Co.  Bar  Associ- 
ation; by  ex-Gov.  C.  K.  Davis 328-332 

Lake  Superior;  by  Hon.  James  H.  Baker 338-355 

Memorial  Notices  op  Rev.  Gideon  H.  Pond 

1— Note;  by  the  Committee  on  Publication 356-357 

2— Sketch;  by  Rev.  S.  R.  Riggs,  D.  D 358-364 

3— Tribute;  by  Gen.  H.  H.  Sibley 364-366 

4— Memoir;  by  Rev.  T.  S.  Williamson 367-371 

In  Memory  op  Rev.  Thomas  S.  Williamson,  M.  D 

1— Sketch;  by  Rev.  S.  R.  Riggs,  D.  D 372-373 

2— Memoir;  by  his  son,  A.  W.  Williamson 384-385 

The  Inkpaduta  Massacre  of  1857;  by  Hon.  Chas.  E.  Flandrau. . . .  386-407 
Index  lo  vol.  3. .  - 408 


RELATION  OF  M.  PENICAUT. 


INTRODUCTORY    NOTE. 

BY  REV.  EDWARD   D.  NEILL. 

A  ftiend  of  the  navigator  Humphrey  Gilbert,  a  man  of  sanguine 
expectations,  three  centuries  ago,  remarlced  that  he  hoped  to  live  to  see 
the  day  when  a  letter  mailed  in  London  on  the  first  of  Maj',  would  reach 
China  by  midsummer,  and  that  the  Indians  had  asserted  that  a  short 
and  speedy  route  would  be  found  between  the  43d  and  46th  degrees  of 
north  latitude.! 

The  coming  event  cast  its  shadow  before,  and  year  after  year,  ex- 
plorers, propelled  in  frail  canoes  by  hardy  voyageurs,  pushed  up  the 
rivers  that  ran  into  the  Atlantic,  and  at  last  reached  the  shores  of  the 
great  Mediterranean  sea  of  North  America,  Lake  Superior. 

It  is  appropriate  that  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society  should 
gather  every  document  that  will  throw  light  on  the  slow  but  sure  pro- 
gress of  discovery  west  of  Lake  Superior  toward  the  Pacific  coast. 
Too  little  notice  has  been  given  to  the  Frenchmen,  who  in  1659  visi- 
ted the  Sioux  of  Mille  Lacs.  The  name  ofoneof  whom,  Grosellier, 
was  retained  for  many  years  on  the  maps  as  the  desigiiation  of  a  stream 
that  flows  into  Lake  Superior,  and  is  a  part  of  the  northern  boundary  of 
Minnesota.2  Learning  the  inland  route  to  Hudson's  Bay,  Grosellier 
and  his  companion  Redisson  returned  to  Quebec  in  the  summer  of 
1660,  and  urged  upon  the  French  to  open  trade  with  the  center 
•  of  the  continent,  but  the  offer  not  being  embraced,  they  ten- 
dered their  services  to  the  English,  and  piloted  a  New  England' 
Captain  named  Gillam  to  the  River  Nemiscan,  where  Fort  Rupert  was 
built. 

1.  Col.  State  Papers.    East  India.    London  1862,  p.  86. 

2.  On  a  map  of  Canada  by  Jefferys,  published  in  1762,  a  part  of  which  is 
found  at  page  300,  History  of  Minnesota,  Pigeon  River  is  marked 
Nalouagan,  or  Qrosiller  River. 


2  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

On  the  first  of  September,  1678,  Daniel  Greysolon  DuLuth  left 
Quebec  to  continue  discovery  in  the  region  west  of  Lake  Superior, 
and  in  1680,  met  an  expedition  ascending  the  Mississippi,  consisting 
of  SiEUR  Dacan  and  four  Frenchmen,  besides  Hennepin,  a  Franciscan 
priest,  that  had  been  dispatched  by  LaSalle.i 

When  DuLuTH  left  Minnesota,  and  returned  to  Quebec,  by  way  of 
the  Wisconsin  River,  a  Sioux  chief  drew  on  birch  bark  a  map  of  the 
Mississippi.  Bellin  says  the  earliest  map  of  the  region  west  of 
Lake  Superior,  in  the  Depot  de  la  Marine,  was  drawn  by  Otchaga,  an 
Indian. 

Perrot,  "  habitant  du  Canada,"  who  had  been,  in  childhood,  edu- 
cated by  the  Jesuit  missionaries,  next  appears  as  an  explorer,  building 
Fort  St.  Nicholas  a,t  the  mouth  of  the  Wisconsin,  and  another  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Mississippi  just  below  Lake  Pepin. 

In  1687  the  first  map  of  the  region  west  and  north  of  Lake  Supe- 
rior, was  drawn  by  Franquelin,  an  experienced  topographer,  sent 
out  for  the  purpose,^  and  in  1688  a  map  prepared  at  Paris  by  Tillemon 
was  issued,  and  upon  it  appears  Lake  Buade  (Mille  Lacs,)  Magdeline 
(St.  Croix  River)  and  Prophet  (Snake  River.)^ 

LeSueur,  who  had  come  into  the  country  in  1683,  with  Perrot, 
built  a  fort  in  1695  above  Lake  Pepin,  on  Isle  Pelee,  a  few  miles  from 
the  mouth  of  the  St.  Croix  River. 

After  visiting  France,  he  accompanied  Bienville,  with  the  colony 
for  the  settlement  of  Louisiana,  and  in  1700  ascended  the  Mississippi, 
arriving  at  the  mouth  of  the  Minnesota  on  the  19th  of  September, 
and  following  the  course  of  the  stream  reached  the  Blue  Earth  river, 
and  on  the  14th  of  October  had  completed  a  stockade  on  a  small  creek 
called  St.  Remi,  in  44  deg.  13  min.  north  latitude. 

Among  those  who  accompanied  him  was  a  shipwright  named 
Penicaud,  a  man  of  discernment,  but  little  scholarship.  Returning 
from  the  valley  of  the  Minnesota,  he  passed  many  years  among  the 
tribes  of  the  lower  Mississippi.  In  1721,  leaving  a  wife  in  Louisiana, 
he  visited  France  to  receive  medical  attention  for  diseased  eyes,  and 
while  there  his  adventures  among  the  Choctaws,  Natchez  and  other 
tribes  were  written  out.  Charlevoix  in  his  list  of  authorities  used 
in  writing  the  History  of  New  France,  mentions  the  manuscript  and 
says  that  though  the  style  is  poor,  it  contained  interesting  information. 

Early  in  1869,  the  attention  of  Mr.  Spofford,  Librarian  of  Con- 
gress, was  called  to  the  fact  that  Maissoneuve  &  Co.  of  Paris,  offered  % 
a  manuscript  **  Relation  of  Penicaud"  for  sale,  and  during  the  summer 
he  procured  the  same.    It  is  a  small  quarto  of  452  pages,  divided  into 
23  chapters,  with  convenient  sub-sections,  and  relates  to  the  period 

1.  Relation  de  la  Louisiana,  Vol.  5,  Recueil  de  Voyages  au  Nord. 

2.  Bellini's  "  Remarques  sur  la  carte  de  la  Amerique  Septentrionale." 
8.    A  copy  of  this  Map  is  in  the  New  York  State  Library. 


RELATION    OF    PENICAUT.  3 

from  1698  to  1721.  It  appears  to  have  been  copied  or  written  out  by 
one  Francis  Bouet,  and  that  part  which  pertains  to  Minnesota  Is 
not  as  full  or  accurate  as  LeSueur's  description  of  the  same  region 
in  La  Harpe's  Louisiana.  Indeed,  some  of  the  statements  are  at 
variance  with  LeSueur,  and  appear  to  be  based  on  Hennepin's  de- 
scription. 

Hennepin,  in  his  "  Louisiane,"  published  in  1683  at  Paris,  speaking 
of  the  Saint  Croix  River,  says  it  is  called  Tomb  River,  because  the 
Issati  deposited  on  its  banks  the  remains  of  a  warrior  who  had  died 
from  the  poison  of  a  snake.  Penicaud  states  that  it  was  called  the 
Saint  Croix  because  of  a  cross  planted  over  the  remains  of  a  voyageur, 
while  LeSueur,  the  leader  of  the  expedition,  asserts  that  the  river 
was  named  Saint  Croix  because  a  Frenchman  of  that  name  was 
shipwrecked  at  its  mouth. 

Again.  LeSueur,  according  to  his  journal,  did  not  ascend  above 
the  mouth  of  the  Minnesota,  and  does  not  mention  the  Falls  of  St. 
Anthony ;  while  Penicaud,  who  was  of  the  same  party,  says  he  visi- 
ted them  and  found  the  "  chute"  sixty  feet.  Hennepin  had  stated 
that  the  fall  was  forty  or  fifty  feet,  divided  by  a  pyramidical  rock,  in 
1683 ;  but  if  the  manuscript  is  correct,  in  1700  it  was  ten  feet  higher. 

Charleville,  a  Canadian  and  kinsman  of  Governor  Bienville, 
told  DuPratz  that  he  had  visited  the  Falls  with  two  Frenchmen  and 
two  Indians,  and  found  the  river  flowing  over  a  flat  rock,  and  that  the 
chute  was  only  eight  or  ten  feet,  a  more  moderate  and  reliable  state- 
ment. He  also  made  a  portage,  and  in  a  birch  bark  canoe  ascended 
one  hundred  leagues  beyond,  and  from  information  obtained  from  the 
Sioux,  expressed  the  opinion  that  St.  Anthony  was  about  equi-distant 
from  the  sources  and  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi. ^ 

But  notwithstanding  these  seeming  discrepancies,  Penicaud  is 
generally  accurate.  He  states,  for  instance,  that  in  leaving  Minne- 
sota early  in  1702,  he  met  at  the  "  Ouissconsin,"  Jusserat,  a  Lieu- 
tenant from  Montreal,  with  a  party  on  his  way  to  the  Ouabache,  as  the 
Ohio  was  called,  to  establish  a  tannery,  and  Charlevoix^  states  that 
JucHEREAU  opened  an  establishment  at  that  locality. 

After  LeSueur  and  Penicaud  left  the  country,  explorations  ceased 
for  some  years,  but  in  September,  1727,  LaPerriere  du  Bouchek 
landed  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Pepin,  opposite  Maiden's  Rock,  and 
erected  Fort  Beauharnois.  The  next  year  Veranderie  began  his 
discoveries,  and  in  1734  reached  Lake  Bourbon,  now  Winnipeg.  His 
son  accompanied  him  in  his  explorations. 

In  1750,  Legardeur  de  St.  Pierre,^  who  had  been  in  command  at 
Fort  Beauharnois,  was  deputed  to  visit  the  region  to  the  northwest 
opened  up  bv  the  Veranderies,  and  conclude  treaties  of  peace  and. 


1.  Le  Page  DuPratz.    HJstoire  de  la  Louisiane,  Vol.  1,  pp.  142-8. 

2.  Nouvelle  France,  Vol.  2,  p.  266. 


4  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

commerce.  The  fort  built  by  Veranderie  on  the  Red  River  was 
afterwards  abandoned  because  of  its  nearness  to  those  on  the  chain 
of  lakes  between  Winnipeg  and  Superior.^  Following  the  sugges- 
tions of  the  Frenchmen,  Carver  proposed  to  open  a  northern 
route  to  the  Pacific  through  Minnesota,  the  valley  of  the  Upper  Mis- 
souri, over  the  slope  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  then  through  the 
valley  of  a  river  which  he  called  the  Oregon.  A  century  has  elapsed 
since  this  Captain  of  Provincial  troops,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  was  in 
Minnesota,  and  now  the  Northern  Pacific  Railway  will  soon  follow  the 
trail  of  the  voyageur  over  the  grazing  grounds  of  the  buff"alo,  into  the 
defiles  of  the  mountains,  and  beyond,  to  Puget's  Sound.  Whatever 
the  development  of  the  future,  the  pioneers  Grosellier,  DuLuth, 
LeSueur,  Penicaud,  and  the  Veranderies  should  never  be  forgot- 
ten. Towns  already  bear  the  name  of  DuLuth  and  LeSueur,  and 
how  appropriate  would  Veranderie  be  for  the  railway  crossing  at 
Red  River,  or  some  place  in  that  vicinity. 


TRANSLATION   OF  THE  MS. 


BY  A.   J.  HILL. 

Leaving  the  fort  of  the  Mississippi,^  M.  de  Bienville  made 
us  row  night  and  day,  and  the  day  after  met  the  vessels,  where 
he  consulted  with  M.  de  Surgeres  upon  the  provisions  remain- 
ing in  them,  and  found  that  there  was  more  than  enough  for 
three  months.  He  then  went  to  the  fort  at  Biloxi  to  examine 
the  goods  and  munitions  of  war  in  the  magazines,  and  he  in- 
creased the  garrison  by  sixty  Canadians,  whom  he  added  to  the 
six  hundred  of  us  already  there — he  had  brought  them  on  his 
ship  with  M.  le  Sueur.  After  having  embraced  M.  de  Sauvolle 
and  M.  de  Boisbriant,  he  left  in  the  month  of  April  of  this 
year,  1700,  on  his  second  return  to  France.     On  his  departure 

1.    In  1753,  he  was  stationed  in  Erie  Co.,  Pa.,  and  held  an  interview  with 

young  Washington. 
J.    Bellin  also  speaks  of  an  abandoned  fort  near  the  portage  between  the 

St.  Croix  and  Bois  Brule'  rivers. 
3.    A  post  just  established  by  him  and   situated    eight  leagues   below 

English  Bend. 


RELATION    OF    PENICAUT.  5 

he  recommended  M.  de  Sauvolle  to  give  M.  le  Sueur  twenty 
men  to  go  with  him  to  a  copper  mine  in  the  country  of  the 
Sioux,  a  nation  of  wandering  savages  living  more  than  nine 
hundred  leagues  above  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi ;  and  to 
ascend  the  river  to  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony.  M.  le  Sueur 
had  heard  of  this  mine  some  years  before  whilst  traveling  in 
the  country  of  the  loways,  where  he  traded.  I  was  ordered 
by  M.  DE  Sauvolle  to  go  on  this  expedition  which  M.  le  Sueur 
was  going  to  make,  because  of  my  being  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
in  the  service  of  His  Majesty,  and  necessary  to  make  and  repair 
shallops.  I  have  alwaj^s  been  with  all  the  parties  that  I  have 
spoken  of,  and  shall  speak  of  afterwards,  and  thus  have  been 
an  eye  witness.  To  return  to  M.  le  Sueur.  After  he  had  got 
together  all  the  necessary  provisions  and  tools  and  had  taken 
leave  of  M.  de  Sauvolle,  he  set  out  in  the  month  of  April  of 
this  year  with  a  single  shallop,  in  which  we  were  butj  twenty- 
five  persons.  ****** 
*              ****** 

Up  to  this  time  no  one  has  discovered  the  source  of  the  Mis- 
souri, any  more  than  that  of  the  Mississippi.         *  * 

******* 

Opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Wisconsin  there  are  four  islands 
in  the  Mississippi^  and  a  very  high  mountain  on  the  left,  half 
a  league  long.  One  can  go  up  this  river  to  the  portage  of  the 
Bay  of.  the  Foxes,  sixty  leagues  distant  from  the  Mississippi. 
This  bay^  comes  within  four  leagues  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  is 
the  way  that  the  French  pass  in  going  to  Canada  when  they 
return  from  the  Sioux.  Above  the  mouth  of  the  Wisconsin, 
and  ten  leagues  higher  up  on  the  same  side,  begins  a  great 
prairie  extending  for  sixty  leagues  along  the  bank  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi on  the  right — this  prairie  is  called  Winged  Prairie. 
The  further  ends  of  these  prairies  reach  to  the  mountains, 
making  a  very  fine  prospect.  Opposite  to  the  Winged  Prairie 
on  the  left  there  is  another  prairie  facing  It  called  Paquitanei,  ^ 
which  is  not  so  long  by  a  great  deal.  Twenty  leagues  above 
these  prairies  is  found  lake  Good  Help,  which  is  seven  leagues 

1.    Original.  Cette  baye  s  'approche  de  quatre  lieues  du  lac  de  Michigan. 
2!    The  meaning  of  this  word  is  not  apparent.    In  Marquette's  narrative 
the  Missouri  has  a  simUar  name,  Pekitanoui  or  Pekltanoni.  H. 


b  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

long  and  one  across,  and  through  which  the  Mississippi  passes. 
To  the  right  and  left  of  its  shores  there  are  also  prairies.  In 
that  on  the  right,  on  the  bank  of  the  lake,  there  is  a  fort  which 
was  built  by  Nicholas  Perrot,  whose  name  it  yet  bears.  At 
the  end  of  the  lake  you  come  to  Bald  Island,  so  called  because 
there  are  no  trees  on  it.'  It  is  on  this  island  that  the  French 
from  Canada  established  their  fort  and  store  house  when  they 
come  to  trade  for  furs  and  other  merchandise,  and  they  also 
winter  here  because  game  is  very  abundant  in  the  prairies  on 
both  shores  of  the  river.  In  the  month  of  September  they 
bring  their  store  of  meat  there,  procured  by  hunting,  and  after 
having  skinned  and  cleaned  it,  place  it  upon  a  sort  of  raised 
scaffold  near  the  cabin,  in  order  that  the  extreme  cold  which 
lasts  from  the  month  of  September  to  the  end  of  March,  may 
hinder  it  from  corrupting  during  the  winter,  which  is  very 
severe  in  that  country.  During  the  whole  winter  they  do  not 
go  out  except  for  water,  when  they  have  to  break  the  ice  every 
day,  and  the  cabin  is  generally  built  on  the  bank,  so  as  not  to 
have  to  go  far.  When  spring  arrives  the  savages  come  to  the 
islaAd,  bringing  their  merchandise,  which  consists  of  all  kinds  of 
furs,  as  beaver,  otter,  marten,  lynx  and  many  others — the  bear 
skins  are  generally  used  to  cover  the  canoes  of  the  savages  and 
Canadians.  There  are  often  savages  who  pillage  the  French 
Canadian  traders,  among  others  the  savages  of  a  village  com- 
posed of  the  five  different  nations,  and  which  have  each  their 
own  name,  that  is  the  Sioux,  the  people  of  the  big  village,  the 
Mententons,  the  Mencouacantons,  the  Ouyatespony^  and  other 
Sioux  of  the  plains. 

Three  leagues  higher  up,  after  leaving  this  island,  you  meet 
on  the  right  the  river  St.  Croix,  where  there  is  a  cross  set  at 
its  mouth.  Ten  leagues  further  you  come  to  the  Falls  of  St. 
Anthony,  which  can  be  heard  two  leagues  off.  It  is  the  entire 
Mississippi  falling  suddenly  from  a  height  of  sixty  feet,  making 
a  noise  like  that  of  thunder  rolling  in  the  air.  Here  one  has 
to  carry  the  canoes  and  shallops,  and  raise  them  by  hand  to  the 
upper  level  in  order  to  continue  the  route  by  the  river.  This 
we  did  not  do,  but  having  for  some  time  looked  at  this  fall  of 
the  whole  Mississippi,  we  returned  two  leagues  below  the  Falls 
of  St.  Anthony  to  a  river  coming  in  on  the  left  of  the  Missis- 


RELATION   OF   PENICAUT.  7 

sippi,  which  is  called  the  river  St.  Peter.  We  took  our  route 
by  its  mouth  and  ascended  it  forty  leagues,  where  we  found 
another  river  on  the  left  falling  into  the  St.  Peter,  which  we 
entered.  We  called  this  Green  River,  because  it  is  of  that 
color  by  reason  of  a  green  earth  which,  loosening  itself  from 
the  copper  mines,  becomes  dissolved  in  it  and  makes  it  green. 
A  league  up  this  river  we  found  a  point  of  land  a  quarter  of  a 
league  distant  from  the  woods,  and  it  was  upon  this  point  that 
M.  LE  Sueur  resolved  to  build  his  fort,  because  we  could  not 
go  any  higher  on  account  of  the  ice,  it  being  the  last  day  of 
September,  when  winter,  which  is  very  severe  in  that  country, 
has  already  begun.  Half  of  our  people  went  hunting,  whilst 
the  others  worked  on  the  fort.  We  killed  four  hundred 
buffaloes,  which  were  our  provisions  for  the  winter,  and  which 
we  placed  upon  scaffolds  in  our  fort,  after  having  skinned  and 
cleaned  and  then  quartered  them.  We  also  made  cabins  in  the 
fort,  and  a  magazine  to  keep  our  goods.  After  having  drawn 
up  our  shallop  within  the  inclosure  of  the  fort,  we  spent  the 
winter  in  our  cabins. 

When  we  were  working  on  our  fort,  in  the  beginning,  seven 
French  traders  of  Canada  took  refuge  there.  They  had  been 
pillaged  and  stripped  naked  by  the  Sioux,  a  wandering  nation 
living  only  by  hunting  and  rapine.  Amongst  these  seven 
persons  there  was  a  Canadian  gentleman  of  M.  le  Sueur's 
acquaintance,  whom  he  recognized  at  once  and  gave  him  some 
clothes,  as  he  did  also  to  all  the  rest,  and  whatever  else  was 
necessary  for  them.  They  remained  with  us  during  the  entire 
winter  at  our  fort,  where  we  had  not  food  enough  for  all,  except 
the  flesh  of  our  buffaloes,  which  we  had  not  even  salt  to  eat 
with.  We  had  a  good  deal  of  trouble  the  first  two  weeks  in 
getting  used  to  it,  having  diarrhoea  and  fever,  and  being  so 
tired  of  it  that  we  hated  the  very  smell.  But  little  by  little 
our  bodies  got  adapted  to  it,  so  well  that  at  the  end  of  six 
weeks  there  was  not  one  of  us  that  could  not  eat  six  pounds  of 
meat  a  day  and  drink  four  bowls  of  the  broth.  As  soon  as  we 
were  accustomed  to  this  kind  of  living  it  made  us  very  fat,  and 
there  was  then  no  more  sickness  amongst  us. 

When  spring  arrived  we  went  to  work  on  the  copper  mine. 
This  was  in  the  beginning  of  April  of  this  year,  [1701.]     We 


8  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

took  with  US  twelve  laborers  and  four  hunters.  This  mine  was 
situated  about  three  quarters  of  a  league  from  our  post.  We 
took  from  the  mine  in  twenty-two  days  more  than  thirty  thou- 
sand pounds  weight  of  ore,  of  which  we  only  selected  four 
thousand  pounds  of  the  finest,  which  M.  le  Sueur,  who  was  a 
very  good  judge  of  it,  had  carried  to  the  fort,  and  which  has 
since  been  sent  to  France,  though  I  have  not  learned  the  result. 

This  mine  is  situated  at  the  beginning  of  a  very  long 
mountain  which  is  upon  the  bank  of  the  river,  so  that  boats 
can  go  right  to  the  mouth  of  the  mine  itself.  At  this  place  is 
the  green  earth,  which  is  a  foot  and  a  half  in  thickness,  and 
above  it  is  a  layer  of  earth  as  firm  and  hard  as  stone,  and 
black  and  burnt  like  coal  by  the  exhalation  from  the  mine. 
The  copper  is  scratched  out  with  a  knife.  There  are  no  trees 
upon  this  mountain.  If  this^mine  is  good  it  will  make  a  great 
trade,  because  the  mountain  contains  more  than  ten  leagues 
running  of  the  same  ground.  It  appears,  according  to  our 
observations,  that  in  the  very  finest  weather  there  is  continu- 
ally a  fog  upon  this  mountain. 

After  twenty-two  days'  work  we  returned  to  our  fort,  where 
the  Sioux,  who  belong  to  the  nation  of  savages  who  pillaged 
the  Canadians  that  came  there,  brought  us  merchandises 
of  furs.  They  had  more  than  four  hundred  beaver  robes,  each 
robe  being  made  of  nine  skins  sewed  together.  M.  le  Sueur 
purchased  these  and  many  other  skins  which  he  bargained  for 
in  the  week  he  traded  with  the  savages.  He  made  them  all 
come  and  camp  near  the  fort,  which  they  consented  to  very 
unwillingly  ;  for  this  nation,  which  is  very  numerous,  is  always 
wandering,  living  only  by  hunting,  and  when  they  have  stayed 
a  few  days  in  one  place  they  have  to  go  off  more  than  ten 
leagues  from  it  for  game  for  their  support.  They  have, 
however,  a  dwelling  place,  where  they  gather  together  the 
natural  fruits  of  the  country,  which  are  very  different  from 
those  of  the  lower  Mississippi,  as  for  instance  cherries  which 
are  in  clusters  like  our  grapes  of  France,  cranberries  which  are 
similar  to  our  strawberries  but  larger  and  somewhat  square  in 
shape,  nuts,  chokeberries,^  roots^  which  resemble  our  truffles. 


The  aUae.    2.  Taupin  amboura  in  the  originaL 


RELATION    OF    PENICAUT.  0 

&c.  There  are  also  more  kinds  of  trees  than  on  the  lower  part  of 
the  river,  as  the  birch,^  maple,  plane,  and  Cottonwood,  which  last 
is  a  tree  that  grows  so  thick  that  there  are  some  that  are  fifteen 
feet  round.  As  to  the  trees  called  maple  and  plane  it  is  usual  at 
the  beginning  of  March  to  make  notches  in  them,  and  then 
placing  tubes  in  the  notches  cause  the  liquid  to  lun  off  into  a 
vessel  placed  below  to  receive  it.  These  trees  will  flow  in 
abundance  during  three  months,  from  the  beginning  of  March  to 
the  end  of  May.  The  juice  they  yield  is  very  sweet ;  it  is 
boiled  till  it  turns  to  syrup,  and  if  it  is  boiled  still  more  it  be- 
comes brown  sugar. 

The  cold  is  still  severer  in  these  countries  than  it  is  in 
Canada.  During  the  winter  we  passed  in  our  fort  we  heard 
the  trees  exploding  like  musket  shots,  being  cracked  by  the 
rigor  of  the  cold.  The  ice  is  as  thick  as  there  is  water  in  the 
river,  and  the  snow  is  condensed  in  it.  By  the  month  of  April 
all  this  snow  and  ice  lies  on  the  ground  to  the  depth  of  five 
feet,  which  causes  the  overflowing  of  the  Mississippi  in  the 
spring. 

About  the  beginning  of  winter  in  this  country,  that  is  to  say 
in  the  month  of  September,  the  bears  climb  trees  that  are 
hollow  and  hide  themselves  inside,  where  they  remain  from  six 
to  seven  months  without  ever  leaving,  getting  no  other  nour- 
ishment during  the  winter  than  by  licking  their  paws.  When 
they  enter  they  are  extremely  lean,  and  when  they  go  out  they 
are  so  plump  that  they  have  half  a  foot  of  fat  on  them.  It  is 
almost  always  in  the  cottonwood  or  cypress  that  the  bear  hides 
himself,  because  these  trees  are  generally  hollow.  In  hunting 
them  a  tree  is  placed  leaning  against  the  tree  where  the  bear 
is  and  reaching  up  to  the  hole  by  which  he  entered.  The 
hunter  climbs  by  this  leaning  tree  to  the  other  one,  and  throws 
into  the  hollow  some  pieces  of  dry  wood  all  on  fire,  which 
obliges  the  animal  to  come  out  to  save  himself  from  being 
burned.  When  the  bear  leaves  the  hole  of  the  tree  he  comes 
down  backwards,  as  a  man  would  do,  and  then  they  shoot  him. 
This  hunting  is  very  dangerous,  for  though  the  animal  may  be 
wounded  sometimes  by  three  or  four  gun  shots,  he  will  still  fall 


1.    The  meritier, 
2 


10  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

upon  the  first  persons  he  meets,  and  with  a  single  blow  of  his 
teeth  and  claws  will  tear  you  up  in  a  moment.  There  are  some 
as  large  as  carriage  horses,  so  strong  that  they  can  easily 
break  a  tree  as  thick  as  one's  thigh.  The  nation  of  the  Sioux 
hunt  them  very  much,  using  them  for  food  and  trading  their 
skins  with  the  French  Canadians.  We  sell  in  return  wares 
which  come  very  dear  to  the  buyers,  especially  tobacco  from 
Brazil  in  the  proportion  of  a  hundred  crowns  the  pound ;  two 
little  horn-handled  knives  or  four  leaden  bullets  are  equal  to 
ten  crowns  in  exchange  for  their  merchandises  of  skins,  and  so 
with  the  rest. 

In  the  beginning  of  May  we  launched  our  shallop  in  the 
water  and  loaded  it  with  this  green  earth  that  had  been  taken 
out  of  the  mines  and  with  the  furs  we  had  traded  for,  of  which  we 
brought  away  three  canoes  full.  M.  le  Sueur,  before  going, 
held  council  with  M.  d'  Eraque,  the  Canadian  gentleman,  and 
the  three  great  chiefs  of  the  Sioux,  three  brothers,  and  told  them 
that  as  he  had  to  return  to  the  sea  he  desired  them  to  live  in 
peace  with  M.  d'  Eraque,  whom  he  left  in  command  of  Fort 
L*  Huillier,  with  twelve  Frenchmen.  M.  le  Sueur  made  a  con- 
siderable present  to  the  three  brothers,  chiefs  of  the  savages, 
desiring  them  never  to  abandon  the  French.  After  this  we, 
the  twelve  men  whom  he  had  chosen  to  go  down  to  the  sea 
with  him,  embarked.  In  setting  out  M.  le  Sueur  promised  to 
M.  d'  Eraque  and  the  twelve  Frenchmen  who  remained  with 
him  to  guard  the  fort,  to  send  up  munitions  of  war  from  the 
Illinois  country  as  soon  as  he  should  arrive  there ;  which  he 
did,  for  on  getting  there  he  sent  off  to  him  a  canoe  loaded  with 
two  thousand  pounds  of  lead  and  powder,  with  three  of  our 

people  in  charge  of  it.  *  *  *  * 

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 

In  this  same  time^  M.  d'  Iberville-  had  sent  a  boat  laden 
with  munitions  of  war  and  provisions,  to  M.  de  St.  Denis, 
commanding  the  fort  on  the  bank  of  the  Mississippi.  They 
found  there  M.  d'  Eraque,  who  had  arrived  with  the  twelve 
Frenchmen,  who  remained  with  him  at  fort  L'  Huillier.  He 
came     shortly    after   in    the    same   boat   to   Mobile,    where 

1.    Spring  of  1702. 


RELATION   OF   PENICAUT.  11 

M.  D*  Iberville  was,  whom  he  saluted,  and  reported  to  him  that 
M.  LE  Sueur  having  left  him  at  the  fort  L'  Haillier,  had  promised 
him,  in  parting,  to  send  him  from  the  Illinois  country,  ammu- 
nition and  provisions,  and  that  having  looked  for  them  a  long 
time  without  hearing  any  news  of  them,  he  had  been  attacked 
by  the  nations  of  the  Maskoutins  and  Foxes,  who  had  killed 
three  of  our  Frenchmen  whilst  they  were  working  in  the  woods 
but  two  gun  shots  beyond  the  fort ;  that  when  the  savages  had 
retreated  he  had  been  obliged,  after  having  concealed  the 
merchandises  he  had  remaining,  and  seeing  that  he  was  out  of 
powder  and  lead,  to  abandon  the  fort  and  descend  with  his 
people  to  the  sea;  that  at  the  Wisconsin  he  had  met  M. 
JucHEREAU,  criminal  judge  of  Montreal,  in  Canada,  with 
thirty-five  men,  whom  he  had  brought  with  him  to  establish  a 
tannery  at  the  Wabash  ;  that  he  had  descended  with  him  to  the 
Illinois  where  he  had  found  the  canoe  M.  de  Bienville  sent 
him ;  that  he  had  arrived  in  this  canoe  at  the  post  of  M.  de  St. 
Denis  the  night  before  the  boat  arrived  there  ;  and  that  having 
learned  irom  M.  de  St.  Denis  of  the  arrival  of  M.  d'  Iberville 
he  had  taken  advantage  of  that  opportunity  to  pay  his  respects 
to  him,  and  offer  him  at  the  same  time  his  services. 


NOTE  TO  THE  FOREGOING. 

Explorers  and  scientific  men  have  searched  for  Le  Sueur's  alleged 
♦•  copper  mine"  without  success,  and  pronounce  it  mythical.  See 
Nicollet,  p.  18;  Keating,  Vol.  I,  p.  355;  Featherstonhaugh, 
Vol.  I,  pp.  2 ;  301-305.  The  account  of  the  latter  is  so  pertinent,  we 
give  it,  somewhat  abridged  : 

Sept.  22.  [1835.]  Soon  after  8  a.  m.  we  came  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Mahkatoh,  or  "  Blue  Earth  Kiver."  This  was  a  bold  stream,  about  80 
yards  wide,  loaded  with  mud  of  a  bluish  color,  evidently  the  cause 
of  the  St.  Peter's  being  so  turbid.  It  was  not  far  from  the  mouth  of 
this  river  that  M.  Le  Sueur  was  asserted  to  have  discovered  in  1692 
an  immense  deposit  of  copper  ore.  No  traveller  had  ever  entered  the 
river  to  investigate  his  statement;  I  therefore  directed  the  head  of 
the  canoe  to  be  turned  into  the  stream.  Having  ascended  it  about  a 
mile  we    found  a  Sissiton  family  established  with  their  skin  lodge 


12  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

upon  a  sand  bar.  *  *  These  people  constantly  asserted  that  they 
knew  of  no  remains  of  any  old  fort  or  stone  building  in  that  part  of 
the  country.  ♦  *  ♦  Whilst  we  were  negotiating  this  exchange, 
it  began  to  snow  for  the  first  time  this  autumn.  ♦  *  Pushing  on, 
we  passed  a  singular  conical  grassy  hill  on  the  right  bank,  which 
commanded  all  the  vicinity,. and  appeared  to  be  a  likely  situation  for 
the  site  of  Lk  Sueur's  Fort.  *  *  About  12,  we  came  to  a  fork  or 
branch  coming  in  on  our  right,  about  45  yards  broad,  and  we  turned 
into  it,  having  a  well-wooded  bluff  on  the  right  bank,  about  90  feet 
high.  "We  had  not  proceeded  three-quarters  of  a  mile  when  we 
reached  the  place  which  the  Sissitons  had  described  to  us  as  being 
that  to  which  the  Indians  resorted  for  their  pigment.  Thia  was  a 
bluff  about  150  feet  high,  on  the  left  bank,  and  from  the  slope  being 
much  trodden  and  worn  away,  I  saw  at  once  that  it  was  a  locality 
which  for  some  purpose  or  other  had  been  frequented  from  a 
very  remote  period.  We  accordingly  stopped  there,  whilst  I  examined 
the  place. 

As  soon  as  I  had  reached  that  part  of  the  bluff  whence  the  pigment 
had  been  taken,  Lk  Sueur's  story  lost  all  credit  with  me,  for  I 
instantly  saw  that  it  was  nothing  but  a  continuation  of  the  seam 
which  divided  the  sandstone  from  the  limestone,  and  which  I  have 
before  spoken  of  at  the  Myah  Skah,  as  containing  a  silicate  of  iron 
of  a  bluish-green  colour.  The  concurrent  account  of  all  the  Indians 
we  had  spoken  with,  that  this  was  the  place  the  aborigines  had  always 
resorted  to,  to  procure  their  pigment,  and  the  total  silence  of  every- 
body since  Le  Sueur's  visit  respecting  any  deposit  of  copper  ore,  in 
this  or  any  other  part  of  the  country,  convinced  me  that  the  story 
of  his  copper  mines  was  a  fabulous  one,  most  probably  invented  to 
raise  himself  in  importance  with  the  French  government  of  that  day. 
Charlevoix  having  stated  that  the  mine  was  only  a  league  and  three- 
quarters  from  the  mouth  of  the  Terre  Bleu,  made  it  certain  that  I 
was  now  at  that  locality,  and  the  seam  of  coloured  earth  gave  the  key 
to  the  rest.  Le  Sueur's  account  of  the  mine  being  at  the  foot  of  a 
mountain  ten  leagues  long,  was  as  idle  as  the  assertion  that  he  had 
obtained  30,000  lbs.  of  copper  ore  in  22  days,  for  there  is  nothing  like 
a  mountain  in  the  neighborhood.  The  bluff,  to  be  sure,  rises  to  the 
height  of  150  feet  from  the  river;  but  when  you  have  ascended  it, 
you  find  yourself  at  the  top  of  a  level  prairie.  *  *  ♦  Finding  the 
copper  mine  to  be  a  fable,  I  turned  my  attention—"  &c.,  «fec.— W. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY    OF     MINNESOTA. 

PREPARED   BY  THE  LIBRARIAN  OF  THE   SOCIETY. 
NOTE. 

While  I  have  ventured  to  call  this  article  a  "  Bibliography  of  Min- 
nesota," its  peculiar  arrangement,  departing  as  it  does,  somewhat 
from  the  usual  rules  of  Bibliography,  may  weaken  its  claim  to  that 
title.  It  is  little  more,  in  reality,  than  a  transcript  of  the  Catalogue 
of  that  portion  of  the  Library  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society, 
which  relates  to  this  State.  The  collection  of  works  and  publications 
on  that  subject  now  in  possession  of  the  Society,  is  so  nearly  com- 
plete, that  it  contains  almost  every  work  which  can  be  said  to  strictly 
belong  to  a  Bibliography  of  Minnesota,  in  addition  to  a  large 
number — (not,  however,  included  in  this  paper)— which  have  such 
intimate  relations  to  the  subject,  they  might  reasonably  have  been 
embraced  in  it,  had  not  the  list  threatened  to  consume  too  much  space. 

I  have  arranged  the  titles  by  subjects,  believing  that  this  plan  will 
best  show  at  a  glance  what  has  been  printed  in  any  one  class  or 
division ;  while  numerous  cross-references,  and  an  index  of  authors, 
will,  I  trust,  remedy  any  defects  which  that  plan  may  have.  It  will 
be  remarked,  also,  that  all  works  are  arranged  chronologically. 

This  is  the  first  attempt  to  collect  and  publish  a  list  of  works  rela- 
ting to  Minnesota.  It  will  be  a  matter  of  surprise  to  many,  even  of 
our  own  citizens,  that  so  much  has  been  printed— here  and  else- 
where—relating to  a  State  organized  as  a  separate  commonwealth 
only  twenty-one  years  ago ;  and  it  is  sent  forth  in  the  hope  that  it 
may  prove  some  aid  to  Librarians  and  Bibliographers  in  other  States, 
no  less  than  to  our  own  citizens.  J-  ^-  W. 


EARLY  EXPLORATIONS  AND  TRAVELS, 
Made  prior  to  the  organization  of  Minnesota  as  a  Territory  in  1849. 

Voyage  ou  nouvelle  decouverte  d'  un  Tres  Grand  Pays 
dans  L'  Amerique,  entre  le  nouveau  Mexique  et  la  mer  glaciale, 


14  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTION^. 

par  le  K.  P.  Louis  Hennepin ;  Avec  toutes  les  particularitez 
de  ce  Pais,  &  de  celui  connu  sous  le  nom  de  LA  L0U1SLA.NE ; 
les  avantages  qui  on  en  pent  tirer  par  V  establissement  des 
Colonies  enrichie  de  Cartes  Geographiques.  Augmente  de 
quelques  figures  en  taille  douce.  Avec  un  voyage  qui  eontient 
une  Relation  exacte  de.rOrigine,  Mceurs,  Coustumes,  Religion, 
Guerres  &  Voyages  des  Caraibes,  Sauvages  des  Isles  Antilles 
de  L'  Amerique,  Faite  par  le  Sieur  De  La  Borde,  Tiree  du 
Cabinet  de  Monsr.  Blondel,  Amsterdam.  Chez  Adriaan 
Braakman,  Marchand  Libraire  pres  le  Dam,  1704,  16^ :  pp. 
xxxiv,  604,  [2  maps,  6  engravings.] 

Memoire  sur  les  M(eurs,  Coustumes  etRelligion  des  Sauva- 
ges de  L'  Amerique  Septentrionale,  par  Nicolas  Perrot ;  Public 
pour  la  Premiere  fois  par  le  R.  P.  J.  Tailhan,  de  la  Compagnie 
de  Jesus.  •  Leipzig  &  Paris,  Librairie  A.  Franck.  Albert  L. 
Herold,  1864,  12°  :  pp.  viii,  341,  xliii. 
[See  Collections  of  Minn.  Histor.  Soc,  Pg.  22.] 

New  Voyages  to  North  America,  giving  a  full  account  of  the 
Customs,  Commerce,  Religion,  and  Strange  Opinions  of  the 
Savages  of  that  Country,  with  Political  Remarks  upon  the 
Courts  of  Portugal  and  Denmark,  and  the  present  State  of  the 
Commerce  of  those  Countries.  The  Second  Edition,  Written 
by  the  Baron  Lahontan,  Lord-Lieutenant  of  the  French  Colony 
at  Placentia  in  Newfoundland;  Now  in  England.  London; 
Printed  for  J.  Walthoe.  J.  and  J.  Bonwicke,  J.  Osborn,  S.  Birt, 
T.  Ward,  and  E.  Wicksteed,  1735.  Two  vols.,  12°.  Vol.  I, 
pp.  XXIV,  280.  [2  maps ;  4  plates.]  Vol.  II,  pp.  302.  [3 
maps ;  9  plates.] 

The  Discovery  of  the  Great  West  ;  by  Francis  Parkman. 
Boston  :  Little,  Brown  &  Co.,  1869,  8°  :  pp.  425. 

fThis  work  covers  the  period  from  1643  to  1689.] 

Historical  Collections  of  Louisiana  and  Florida,  inclu- 
ding Translations  of  original  manuscripts  relating  to  their 
Discovery  and  Settlement,  with  numerous  Historical  and 
Biographical  Notes.  By  B.  F.  French.  New  Series.  New 
York  :.  J.  Sabin  &  Sons,  84  Nassau  street,  1869,  8°  :    pp.  362. 

The  History  of  Louisiana,  or  of  the  Western  Parts  of 
Virginia   and  Carolina:    Containing   a    Description    of    the 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  15 

Countries  that  lye  on  both  Sides  of  the  River  Mississippi :  With 
an  Account  of  the  Settlements,  Inhabitants,  Soil,  Climate  and 
Products.  Translated  from  the  French,  (lately  published)  by 
M.  Le  Page  Du  Pratz  ;  with  some  Notes  and  Observations  re- 
lating to  our  Colonies.  In  Two  Volumes.  London :  mdcc,- 
Lxm,  16°.  Vol.  I,  pp.  VI,  368  ;  [map.]  Vol.  II:  pp.  vi,  272 
[map.] 

Historical  Collections  of  Louisiana,  embracing  Transla- 
tions of  many  rare  and  valuable  Documents  relating  to  the 
Natural,  Civil  and  Politicsl  History  of  that  State,  ett.  Part 
IV.     Redfield,  New  York  :  1852.     8°  pp.  268.     [Map.] 

[Entitled   "Discovery   and   Explorations  of  tlie   Mississippi;"    contains 
Original  Narratives  of  Marquette,  Allouez,  Membra,  Hennepin  and  Douay.] 

Early  Voyages  up  and  Down  the  Mississippi.  By  Cava- 
lier, St.  Cosme,  LeSueur,  Gravier  and  Guignas.  With  an 
introduction  and  Notes.  [By  John  G.  Shea.]  Albany  :  1861, 
4°:  pp.191. 

Histoire  et  Description  Generale  de  la  Nouvelle 
France,  avec  le  Journal  Historique  d'  un  Voyage  fait  par  ordre 
du  Roi  dans  L'  Amerique  Septentrionnale.  Par  le  P.  De  Charle- 
voix de  la  Compagnie  de  Jesus,  a  Paris,  m.  dcc.  xliv.  Avec 
Approbation  et  Privilege  du  Roi.  Three  Volumes,  4°:  pp.  xxvi, 
664  ;  XVI,  582  and  56  ;  xiv,  543. 

Travels  through  the  Interior  Parts  of  North  America 
in  the  years  1766,  1767  and  1768.  By  J.  Carver,  Esq.,  Captain 
of  a  Company  of  Provincial  Troops  during  the  late  War  with 
France.  Illustrated  with  copper  plates,  coloured.  The  third 
edition.  To  which  is  added,  some  account  of  the  Author  and 
a  Copious  Index.  London:  mdcclxxxi.  8°  pp.  564.  [2 
maps,  5  engravings. 3j|^ 

Do.     Another  edition,  published  by  Isaiah  Thomas  & 

Co.,  Walpole,  N.  H.,  1813  ;  16° :  pp.  280. 

Do.     Another  edition,  entitled  "  Carver's  Travels  in 

Wisconsin."  New  York  :  Printed  by  Harper  &  Brothers,  No. 
82,  Cliff  Street,  1838  ;  8°  :  pp.  376,  [2  maps,  5  engravings.] 

Carver  Centenary  :  [See  "  Collections  of  the  Historical 
Society."] 


16  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Exploratory  Travels  through  the  Western  Territories  of 
North  America  :  Comprising  a  voyage  from  Saint  Louis,  on  the 
Mississippi,  to  the  source  of  that  river,  and  a  journey  through 
the  interior  of  Louisiana,  and  the  northeastern  Provinces  of 
New  Spain.  Performed  in  the  years  1805,  1806,  1807,  by 
order  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States.  By  Zebulon 
Montgomery  Pike.     London :  1811,  4°  :  pp.  436,  [2  maps.] 

Narrative  Journal  of  Travels  from  Detroit  northwest 
through  the  Great  Chain  of  American  Lakes  to  the  sources  of 
the  Mississippi  River,  in  the  year  1820.  By  Henry  R.  School- 
craft. Albany  :  Published  by  E.  &  E.  Hosford,  1821,  8°  :  pp. 
424.     [Map,  7  illustrations.] 

Narrative  of  an  Expedition  to  the  source  of  St.  Peter's 
River,  Lake  Winnipeek,  Lake  of  the  Woods,  &c.  Performed 
in  the  Year  1823,  by  order  of  the  Hon.  J.  C.  Calhoun,  Secre- 
tary of  War,  under  the  Command  of  Stephen  H.  Long,  U.  S. 
T.  E.  Compiled  from  the  notes  of  Major  Long,  Messrs.  Say, 
Keating  &  Colhoun,  by  William  H.  Keating,  A.  M.  &c.,  Pro- 
fessor of  Mineralogy  and  Chemistry  as  applied  to  the  Arts,  in 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania ;  Geologist  and  Historiographer 
to  the  Expedition.  In  two  Volumes.  London :  Printed  by 
Geo.  B.  Whittaker,  Ave  Maria  Lane,  1825,  8°.  Vol.  1,  Pp.  xvi, 
458.  [4  illustrations  and  map.]  Vol.  2,  Pp.  vi,  404.  [3  illustra- 
tions.] 

La  Decouverte  des  Sources  du  Mississippi  et  de  la  Riviere 
Sanglante.  Description  du  Cours  entier  du  Mississippi,  Qui 
n'etait  connu,  que  partiellement,  et  d'une  grand  partie  de 
celui  de  la  Riviere  Sanglante,  presque  entierement  inconnue ; 
ainsi  que  du  Cours  entier  de  I'Ohio,  &c.,  &c.  Coup  d'oeil, 
sur  les  compagnies  nord-ouest,  et  de  l^aie  d*  Hudson,  ainsi 
que  sur  la  Colonic  Selkirk.  Preuves  Evidentes,  que  le  Missis- 
sippi est  la  premiere  Riviere  du  Monde.  Par  J.  C.  Beltrami, 
Membre  de  plusieurs  Academies.  Nouvelle-Orleans :  Imprime 
par  Benj.  Levy,  No.  86,  Rue  Royale,  1824.    8°  :  pp.  vii,  328. 

A  Pilgrimage  in  Europe  and  America,  leading  to  the 
Discovery  of  the  Sources  of  the  Mississippi  and  Bloody  River  ; 
with  a  description  of  the  whole  course  of  the  former,  and  of 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  17 

the  Ohio.  By  J.  C.  Beltrami,  Esq.,  formerly  Judge  of  a  Royal 
Court  in  the  Ex-Kingdom  of  Italy.  In  two  volumes.  London : 
Printed  for  Hunt  and  Clarke,  York  Street,  Co  vent  Garden. 
1828.  8°.  Vol.  I,  Pp.  Lxxvi.  472.  [2  maps,  1  engraving.] 
Vol.  II,  Pp.  546.     [1  map,  3  engravings.] 

,A  Narrative  of  the  XDaptivity  and  Adventures  of  John 
Tanner  (U.  S.  Interpreter  at  the  Sault  de  Ste.  Marie,)  during 
Thirty  Years'  Residence  among  the  Indians  in  the  Interior  of 
North  America.  Prepared  for  the  Press  by  Edwin  James,  M. 
D.,  Editor  of  an  account  of  Major  Long's  Expedition  from 
Pittsburg  to  the  Rocky  Mountains.  New  York  :  G.  &C.  &H. 
Carvill,  108  Broadway.  1830.  8°:  pp.  426.  [Portrait  of 
Tanner  and  numerous  wood  cuts.] 

[Tanner  spent  a  number  of  years,  during  his  captivity,  in  Minnesota,  and 
some  of  his  descendants  yet  live  in  the  State.] 

Narrative  of  an  Expedition  through  the  Upper  Mississippi 
to  Itasca  Lake,  the  actual  source  of  this  River ;  embracing  an 
exploratory  trip  through  the  Saint  Croix  and  Burntwood  (or 
Broule)  Rivers ;  in  1832.  Under  the  direction  of  Henry  R. 
Schoolcraft.  New  York :  Published  .by  Harper  &  Brothers, 
No.  82  Cliff  Street.     1834.     8°  :  pages  307.     [3  maps.] 

Summary  Narrative  of  an  Exploratory  Expedition  to 
the  Sources  of  the  Mississippi  River,  in  1820,  resumed  and 
completed  by  the  Discovery  of  its  origin  in  Itasca  Lake,  in 
1832.  B}^  authority  of  the  United  States.  With  appendixes, 
&c.,  together  with  all  the  OflEicial  Reports  and  Scientific  Papers 
of  both  Expeditions.  By  Henry  R.  Schoolcraft.  Philadel- 
phia :  Lippincott,  Grambo  &  Co.  1855.  8°  :  pp.  596.  [Maps 
and  Illustrations.] 

The  Rambler  in  North  America,  mdcccxxxii — mdcccxxxiii. 
By  Charles  Joseph  Latrobe,  author  of  the  "  Alpenstock,"  etc. 
In  two  volumes.  New  York :  Published  by  Harper  &  Brothers, 
No.  82,  Cliff  Street,  and  sold  by  the  principal  booksellers 
throughout  the  United  States.  1835.  12°.  Vol.  1,  Pp.  vii, 
243.     Vol.  2,  Pp.  242. 

Notes  on  the  Wisconsin  Territory  ;  particularly  with  refer- 
ence to  the  Iowa  District,  or  Black  Hawk  Purchase.  By 
3 


18  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

Lieutenant  Albert  M.  Lea,  United  States  Dragoons.  Phila- 
delphia :  H.  S.  Tanner— Shakspeare  Buildings.  1836.  24° : 
[with  map  :]  pp.  53. 

A  Canoe  Voyage  up  the  Minnat  Sotor  ;  with  an  account 
of  the  Lead  and  Copper  Deposits  in  Wisconsin ;  of  the  Gold 
Region  in  the  Cherokee  Country ;  and  sketches  of  popular 
manners,  &c.,  &c.,  &c.  By  G.  W.  Featherstonhaugh,  F.  R. 
S. ;  F.  G.  S. ;  Author  of  "  Excursion  through  the  Slave  States." 
In  two  Volumes.  London  :  Richard  Bentley,  New  Burlington 
Street,  Publisher  in  Ordinary  to  her  Majest3^  1847.  8°.  Vol. 
I,  Pp.  XIV,  416.  [6  engravings  and  map.]  Vol.  II,  Pp.  vii, 
351.     [1  engraving.] 

Report  intended  to  illustrate  a  Map  of  the  Hj^drographical 
Basin  of  the  Upper  Mississippi  River,  made  by  I.  N.  Nicollet ; 
while  in  employ  under  the  Bureau  of  the  Corps  of  Topographi- 
cal Engineers.  January  11,  1845.  Washington:  Blair  & 
Rives,  Printers.     1845.     8^:  pp.170. 

Personal  Memoirs  of  a  Residence  of  Thirty  Years  with 
the  Indian  Tribes  on  the  American  Frontiers ;  with  brief 
notices  of  passing  events,  facts,  and  opinions.  A.  D.  1812  to 
A.  D.  1842.  By  Henry  R.  Schoolcraft.  Philadelphia :  Lip- 
pincott,  Grambo  and  Co.,  Successors  to  Grigg,  Elliott  &  Co. 
1851.     8°:  pp.  XLViii,  703. 

[This  work  lacks  an  index,  which  greatly  impairs  its  value.J 

A  Summer  in  the  Wilderness  ;  embracing  a  Canoe  Voyage 
up  the  Mississippi  and  around  Lake  Superior.  By  Charles 
Lanman,  author  of  ^'  Essays  for  Summer  Hours,"  etc.  "  And 
I  was  in  the  Wilderness  alone." — Bryant.  New  York :  D. 
Appleton  &  Company,  200  Broadway,  &c.  mdcccxlvii. 
12^ :   pp.  208. 

Report  of  a  Geological  Survey  of  Wisconsin,  Iowa  and 
Minnesota ;  and  incidentally  of  a  portion  of  Nebraska  Terri- 
tory. Made  under  instructions  from  the  United  States  Treasury 
Department.     By  David  Dale  Owen,  United  States  Geologist. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  19 

Philadelphia :  Lippincott,  Grambo  &  Co.  1852.  4*  :  pp.  ^38. 
[72  wood  cuts ;  27  steel  plates ;  18  colored  maps,  stone  and 
copper.] 

***  All  the  above  are  strictly  Minnesota  books— the  authors  of  them  having 
travelled  in  some  portion  of  the  State,  as  it  now  is.  In  addition  to  these, 
the  student  of  Minnesota  history  should  consult  DuPratz,  Charlevoix,  the  N. 
Y.  Colonial  Documents,  &c.,  for  incidental  references  to  the  region  now 
known  as  Minnesota. 


MINNESOTA:    HISTORICAL,    DESCRIPTIVE    AND 
STATISTICAL. 

The  Homes  of  the  New  World  ;  Impressions  of  America. 

By  Frederika  Bremer.    Translated  by  Mary  Howitt.     "  Sing 

unto  the   Lord  a  new  Song." — Psalm  xcvi.    In  two  volumes. 

New  York  :  Harper  &  Brothers,  Publishers,  329  and  331,  Pearl 

street,  Franklin  Square.     1864.     12°.    Vol.  I,  Pp.  xn,  651. 

Vol.  II,  654. 

[Miss  Bremer  visited  Minnesota  in  1849 ;  sixty-three  pages  of  the  2d  Vol. 
are  devoted  to  it.] 

Sketches  of  Minnesota,  the  New  England  of  the  West. 

With  Incidents  of  Travel  in  that  Territory  during  the  Summer 

of  1849.     In  two  Parts.    By  E.  S.  Seymour.     With  a  Map. 

New  York :    Harper  &  Brothers,  Publishers,  82   Cliff  street. 

1850.     12^:  pp.  281.     [Map.] 

[Mr.  Seymour  lived  at  Galena,  and  made  a  short  trip  through  Minnesota  in 
1849.  His  work  is  interesting  and  well  written,  and  for  three  or  four  years 
was  the  only  work  descriptive  of  Minnesota  accessible  to  the  public.  He  is 
said  to  have  died  in  1852.] 

Report  of  the  Secretary  op  War,  communicating  the 
report  of  an  Exploration  of  the  Territory  of  Minnesota,  by 
Brevet  Captain  Pope.     March  21,  1850.     8^  :  pp.  56. 

[Ex.  Doc.  No.  42.    31st  Congress,  1st  Session.] 

Pembina  Settlement.  Letter  from  the  Secretary  of  War, 
transmitting  report  of  Maj.  Wood,  relative  to  his  Expedition 
to  Pembina  Settlement,  and  the  condition  of  affairs  on  the 
North- Western  frontier  of  the  Territory  of  Minnesota.  March 
19,  1850.     8°  :  pp.  55. 

[Ex.  Doc.  No.  51:  3lst  Congress,  Ist  Session.] 


20  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

Minnesota  Year  Book  for  1851,  by  W.  G.  Le  Due.  Pub- 
lished by  W.  Gr.  Le  Duo,  Bookseller  and  Stationer,  St.  Paul, 
Minnesota  Territory.     12°  :  pp.  51. 

do,  for  1852  :  12°  :  pp.  98  :  [cut.] 

— -  do,  for  1853  :  12°  :  pp.  37  :  [map.] 

Minnesota  and  its  Resources,  to  which  are  appended 
Camp-fire  Sketches,  or  Notes  of  a  Trip  from  Saint  Paul  to 
Pembina  and  Selkirk  Settlement  on  the  Red  River  of  the 
North.  By  J.  Wesley  Bond.  Redfield,  110  and  112,  Nassau 
Street,  New  York.  1853.  12°:  pp.364.  [Map,  and  numerous 
illustrations.] 

Do.  do.  Tenth  (?)  Edition.  Keen  &  Lee,  No.  148  Lake 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois.  Charles  Desilver,  No.  253,  Market 
Street,  Philadelphia.  1856.  [Map  and  numerous  illustra- 
tions.]    Pp.412. 

[The  back  is  titled  "Minnesota  as  it  Is."] 

Survey,  etc.,  of  Road  from  Mendota  to  Big  Sioux  River. 
Letter  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  transmitting  Report  of  the 
Survey,  &c.,  of  road  from  Mendota  to  the  Big  Sioux  River. 
By  Capt.  J.  L.  Reno,  U.  S.  A.     April  28,  1854.     8°  :   pp.  12. 

[Ex.  Doc.  No.  97 :  33d  Congress,  1st  Session.] 

The  Minnesota  Messenger,  containing  Sketches  of  the 
Rise  and  Progress  of  Minnesota ;  Tables  of  Distances  from 
Different  Points  ;  Directions  to  Strangers  ;  and  various  other 
Information,  invaluable  to  the  Traveller  and  Business  Man. 
Saint  Paul,  M.  T.  A.  D.  Munson,  Editor  and  Publisher. 
1855.     8°  :  pp.  78: 

Rise  and  Progress  of  Minnesota  Territory,  Including  a 
Statement  of  the  Business  Prosperity  of  Saint  Paul ;  and  In- 
formation in  Regard  to  the  Different  Counties,  Cities,  Towns 
and  Villages  in  the  Territory,  Etc.  St.  Paul :  Published  by 
C.  L.  Emerson,  Minnesota  Democrat  Office,  1855.  Royal  8°  : 
pp.  64. 

Minnesota  and  the  Far  West,  by  Laurence  Oliphant, 
Esq.,  Late  Civil  Secretary  and  Superintendent-General  of 
Indian  Affairs  in  Canada.  Author  of  "  The  Russian  Shores  of 
the  Black  Sea,"  &c.     William  Blackwood  and  Sons,  Edinburgh 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  21 

and  London,     mdccclv.     8°  :    pp.  xiv,  306.     [Map  ;  13  illus- 
trations.] 
[Originalljl  published  in  Blackwood's  Magazine.] 

The  Immigrant's  Guide  to  Minnesota  in  1856.  By  an  Old 
Resident.  St.  Anthony  :  W.  W.  Wales,  Bookseller  and  Pub- 
lisher.    12^:  pp.  116.     [5  wood  cuts.] 

The  Minnesota  Handbook,  for  1856-7.  With  a  new  and 
accurate  map.  By  Nathan  H.  Parker,  author  of  "  Iowa  as  it 
Is,"  &c.  Boston  :  John  P.  t[ewett  and  Company,  mdccclvii. 
12°:  pp.  159.     [Map.] 

Minnesota  and  Dacotah  :  In  letters  descriptive  of  a  Tour 
through  the  Northwest,  in  the  Autumn  of  1856.  With  In- 
formation Relative  to  Public  Lands,  and  a  Table  of  Statistics. 
By  C.  C.  Andrews,  Counsellor  at  Law ;  Editor  of  the  Official 
Opinions  of  the  Attorneys  General  of  the  United  States. 
Washington :  Robert  Farnham.     1857.     12°  :   pp.  215. 

Floral  Home;  or,  First  Years  of  Minnesota.  Early 
Sketches,  Later  Settlements,  and  Further  Developments.  By 
Harriet  E.  Bishop.  New  York :  Sheldon,  Blakeman  &  Com- 
pany. 1857.  12°:  pp.342.  [Portrait  of  Author,  and  nu- 
merous Illustrations.] 

Minnesota:  Address  delivered  at  the  Broadway  House, 
New  York,  on  the  27th  March,  1857,  by  Ignatius  Donnelly, 
Esq.  New  York:  Folger  &  Turner,  Printers,  No.  118  John 
Street.     1857.     12° :  pp.  16. 

A  Guide  to  Emigrants  to  Minnesota.  By  a  Tourist.  St. 
Paul :    Goodrich,  Somers  &  Co.,  Printers.    1857.    12°  :  pp.  23. 

The  Emigrant's  Guide  to  Iowa,  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota. 
Containing  a  Correct  History  of  all  the  Towns  on  the  Missis- 
sippi River  and  its  Tributaries,  from  Dubuque  to  its  Head 
Waters.  Also,  all  the  Principal  Towns  in  Minnesota.  Pub- 
lished by  J.  Q.  A.  Ward,  and  M.  V.  B.  Young,  St.  Paul. 
Printed  at  the  Minnesotian  Office.     1857.     24° :  pp.  184. 

The  History  of  Minnesota:  From  the  Earliest  French 
Explorations,  to  the  present  time.  By  Edward  Duffield  Neill, 
Secretary  of  the  *  Minnesota  Historical  Society.    ''Nee  falsa 


22  MINNESOTA   HlStORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

dicere,  rec  vera  reticere."    Philadelphia :   J.  B.  Lippincott  <fe 
Co.     1858.     8°  :  pp.  628.     [4  maps.] 

Do.     do.     Large  Paper  Copy ;  with  36  steel  engravings 

illustrating  Indian  Life,  8  steel  portraits  and  5  maps. 

Minnesota  :  or  "  A  Bundle  of  Facts,"  going  to  Illustrate 
its  Great  Past,  the  Grand  Present,  and  her  Glorious  Future  ; 
by  a  Southern  Pre-Emptor.  [^Thomas  B.  Winst07i.']  5,000 
copies  issued  for  gratuitous  circulation.  New  Orleans  :  Pub- 
lished by  J.  B.  Steel,  No.  60  Camp  Street.     1858.     24°:  pp.32. 

Minnesota  :  Its  Place  among  the  States.  Being  the  First 
Annual  Report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Statistics,  for  the  Year 
ending  Jan.  1,  1860.  Published  by  authority  of  law.  Hart- 
ford ;  Press  of  Case,  Lockwood  and  Company.  1860.  8°  : 
pp.  174. 

Minnesota:    Its  Progress    and    Capabilities.      Being  the 
Second  Annual  Report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Statistics,  for 
the  Years  1860   and  1861.     Saint  Paul:  Wm.  R.  Marshall, 
State  Printer.     1862.     8°:  pp.  127. 
[Joseph  A.  "Wheelock  was  Commissioner  of  Statistics,  1860-63.] 

Statistics  of  Minnesota,  pertaining  to  its  Agriculture, 
Population,  Manufactures,  etc.,  etc.,  for  1869.  Being  the 
Fu'st  Annual  Report  of  the  Assistant  Secretary  of  State 
[Pennock  Pusey~\  to  the  Governor.  Made  according  to  law. 
Saint  Paul :  Press  Printing  Co.     1870.     8°  :  pp.  152. 

Emigration,  with  special  reference  to  Minnesota,  U.  S.  and 
British  Columbia.  By  Thomas  Rawlings.  London :  Clayton 
&  Co.,  Printers.     8°  :  pp.  24.     Map.     [1864.] 

Notes  upon  the  Geology  of  some  portions  of  Minnesota, 
from  St.  Paul  to  the  Western  Part  of  the  State.  By  James 
Hall.     1866.     4°:  pp.12. 

Geology  and  Minerals.  A  Report  of  Explorations  in  the 
Mineral  Regions  of  Minnesota  during  the  Years  1848,  1859 
and  1864,  by  Col.  Charles  Whittlesey.  Printed  by  order  of 
the  General  Assembly  [of  Minnesota],  Cleveland :  Herald 
Office.     1866.     8°:  pp.  54. 

Minnesota  as  a  Home  fob  Immigrants.     Being    the  First 


BIBLIOGRAPHT-  23 

and  Second  Prize  Essa3^s  awarded  by  the  Board  of  Examiners 
appointed  Pursuant  to  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State 
of  Minnesota.  Approved  March  4,  1864.  St.  Paul :  Pioneer 
Printing  Company.     1866.     8°  :  pp.  84.  ^ 

[I.    Mary  J.  Colburn.    II.    W.R.Smith.] 

Hand  Book  of  Minnesota:  Describing  its  Agricultural, 
Commercial  and  Manufacturing  Resources,  and  other  Capabili- 
ties of  Producing  Wealth;  also,  its  Physical  and  Social 
Conditions  and  Its  Future.  By  Rufus  Blanchard.  Chicago : 
Blanchard  &  Cram.     1867.     18° :  pp.  64. 

Tourists  and  Invalid's  Guide  to  the  Northwest.  Con- 
taining Information  about  Minnesota,  Wisconsin,  Dacota,  and 
the  Lake  Superior  Region.  Compiled  by  Charles  H.  Sweetser, 
New  York.    1867.     8°  :  pp.  50. 

Upper  Mississippi;  or,  Historical  Sketches  of  the  Mound 
Builders,  the  Indian  Tribes,  and  the  Progress  of  Civilization 
in  the  Northwest ;  from  A.  D.  1600  to  the  Present  Time.  By 
George  Gale.  Chicago  :  Clarke  and  Company.  1867.  12°  : 
pp.  460.     [  With  poHrait  of  Author.'] 

Minnesota:  Its  Advantages  to  Settlers.  Being  a  brief 
Synopsis  of  its  History  and  Progress,  Climate,  Soil,  Agricul- 
tural and  Manufacturing  Facilities,  and  Social  Status ;  Its 
Lakes,  Rivers  and  Railroads ;  Homestead  and  Exemption 
Laws  ;  Embracing  a  concise  Treatise  on  its  Climatologj^  in  a 
Hygienic  and  Sanitary  Point  of  View  ;  Its  unparalleled  Salu- 
brity, Growth  and  Productiveness,  as  compared  with  the  Older 
States,  and  the  elements  of  its  Future  Greatness  and  Pros- 
perity. For  Gratuitous  Circulation.  Order  Copies  to  any 
Address,  from  Girart  Hewitt,  St.  Paul,  Minn.  1867.  8°  :  pp.  36. 
[This  is  usually  called  "  Hewitt's  Pamphlet."  150,000  copies  of  this  have 
been  issued.] 

Tourist's  Guide  to  the  Upper  Mississippi  River  :  Giving  all 
the  Railroad  and  Steamboat  Routes  Diverging  from  Chicago, 
Milwaukee  &  Dubuque  toward  Saint  Paul,  etc.  Compiled  by  J. 
Disturnell.     New  York.     1868.     12° :  pp.  92.     [Maps.] 

Dakota  Land  ;  or  the  Beauty  of  Saint  Paul.  An  Original, 
Illustrated,  Historic  and  Romantic  Work,  presenting  a  Combi- 


24  MINNESOTA   HISrORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

nation  of  Marvellous  Dreams  and  Wandering  Fancies, 
Singular  Events  and  Strange  Fatalities,  all  interwoven  with 
Graphic  Descriptions  of  the  Beautiful  Scenery  and  Wonderful 
Enchantment  in  Minnesota.  To  which  is  added  "  A  Round 
of  Pleasure,"  with  interesting  Notes  of  Travel,  Maps,  etc., 
and  Forming  a  Comprehensive  Guide  to  the  Great  North  West. 
By  Col.  Hankins,  Editor  of  "  The  New  York  Home  Gazette," 
&c.  1868  :  Hankins  &  Son,  Publishers,  New  York.  12° ;  pp. 
460.     [Illustrations  and  Map.] 

Address  of  the  Minnesota  Irish  Emigration  Convention, 
held  in  the  City  of  Saint  Paul,  Minnesota,  Jan.  20,  1869,  to 
the  People  of  Ireland.  Saint  Paul :  North  Western  Chronicle 
Print.     1869.     8° :  pp.  22. 

The  Minnesota  Guide.  A  Hand  Book  of  Information  for 
the  Traveller,  Pleasure  Seekers  &  Immigrants,  concerning  all 
Routes  of  Travel  to  and  in  the  State  ;  Sketches  of  the  Towns 
and  Cities  in  the  Same,  etc.,  etc.  [By  J.  F.  Williams.^  Saint 
Paul:  E.H.  Burritt  &  Co.  1869.  16°:  pp.  100.  [9  cuts,  1 
map.] 

Minnesota  as  it  is  in  1870.  Its  General  Resources  and 
Attractions  *  *  *  with  special  descriptions  of  all  its 
Counties  and  Towns.  *  *  *  By  J.W.  McClung.  St.  Paul : 
Published  by  the  Author.     1870.     12°  :  pp.  300.     [Map.] 

The  Seat  op  Empire.  By  Charles  Carleton  CoflSin. 
("  Carleton.")  Boston:  Fields,  Osgood  &  Co.  1870.  12°: 
pp.  232.     [Map  ;  6  engravings.] 

Minnesota  Gazetteer  and  Business  Directory. — See 
"  State  Gazetteers  and  Directories." 

Edwards'  Descriptive  Gazetteer  of  the  Mississippi  River. 
— See  do.  do. 

The  Sioux  War  of  1862-3.  See  ''  The  Indian  Tribes  of 
Minnesota." 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  25 

EMIGRATION  DOCUMENTS,  IN  EUROPEAN  LANGUAGES. 

Nachrichten  uber  Minnesota.  Gesammelt  von  Eduard 
Pelz.     Hamburg,  1858.     8°  :  pp.  25. 

Ueber  Auswanderung.  Von  Ed.  Pelz.  Besonderer  Ab- 
druck  kus  der  "  Deutschen  Auswanderer — Ztg."  No.  47-49. 
Bremen,  1864.     12° :  pp.  25. 

Die  Auswanderung  mit  besonderer  Beziehung  aup  Min- 
nesota UND  British  Columbia.  Von  Thomas  Rawlings.  Aus 
dera  Englishen  ubertragen  und  eingeleitet,  von  Eduard  Pelz. 
Hamburg :  Hoffman  &  Campe,  1866.     12°  :  pp.  63. 

Minnesota  in  Seinen  Hauptverhaltnissen.  Emigrations- 
Monographie  von  Eduard  Pelz.  Dritte  Auflage.  Hamburg  : 
Hoffman  &  Campe.     1866.     8°:  pp.  52. 

Minnesota  og  dets  Fordele  for  Invandreren,  &c. 
Uddeles  gratis.  La  Crosse,  Wis.  Trykt :  Fadrelandets  Officin. 
1867.     12°  :  pp.  30.     [Written  by  Hon.  H.  Mattson,] 

Minnesota  och  dess  Fordelar  for  Invandraren  ;  &c. 
Utdelas Gratis.  Chicago:  Svenska AmerikanarensBoktryckeri, 

1867.  12°  :  pp.  29.     [By  H.  Mattson.] 

Minnesota,  (Vereenigde  Staten  von  Nord-Amerika)  in 
zijne  Hulpbronnen,  Vruchtbaarheid  en  Ontwikkeling  Geschetst, 
voor  Landverhuizers  en  Kapitalisten  door  J.  H.  Kloos,  in- 
genieur.     Amsterdam :  H.  de  Hoogh.     1867.     8°  :  pp.  54. 

Another  Edition.    With  Map.    pp.  61. 

Inlichtingen  omtrent  den  St.  Paul  en  Pacific-Spoorweg, 
medegedeeld  door  W.  v.  O.  B.  Schriver  van  "  Amerikaanische 
Fondsen  als   Geldbelegging."     Amsterdam:    H.   de  Hoogh. 

1868.  8°:  pp.  20. 

Minnesota  das  Central-Gebiet  Nord  Americas.  In  seinen 
Hauptverhaltnissen  dargestellt,  von  Eduard  Pelz.  Leipzig: 
Verlagsbuchandlung  von  J.  J.  Weber.     1868.     8°  :  pp.'  31. 

Staten  Minnesota;   Nordamerika.    Dens  Fordele  for  den 
Skandinaviske  Invandrermed  saerligt  hensyn  til  jordbrugeren. 
Af  Soren  Listol,  Medredaktor  af  "  Nordisk  Folkblad."    1869-70. 
4 


26  MINNESOTA   HISIORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Udgivet  for    Statens    Regning.     Uddeles   Gratis.      Nordisk 
Folkeblad  Officin,  Minneapolis.     1869.     12°  :  pp.  25. 

Minnesota  als  eine  Heimat  fur  Einwanderer.  Dritte 
Jahresausgabe,  publizirt  in  Auftrage  des  Staates.  St.  Paul, 
Minn.     186^.     Staats-Zeitung  Officin.     8° :  pp.  40. 


TOWN  AND  COUNTY  HISTORIES. 

An  Address  giving  the  Earlj-  History  of  Hennepin  County 
delivered  before  the  Minneapolis  Lyceum,  by  Col.  John  H.  Ste- 
vens, and  published  by  Order  of  the  Lyceum.  Minneapolis  : 
Printed  at  the  North-Western  Democrat  Office.  1856.  8° : 
pp.  12. 

Opinion  and  Decision  of  Hon.  A.  G .  Chatfield,  between 
adverse  claimants  to  lands  in  the  Town  site  of  Hastings.  St. 
Paul.     1857.     8°:  pp.  20. 

Advantages  and  Resources  of  Houston  County,  Minnesota. 
Hokah,  Minn.  Published  by  Reynolds  and  Wertz.  Printed  at 
the  Hokah  Chief  Office.     1858.     18° :  pp.  34. 

History  of  Fillmore  County,  Minnesota,  with  an  outline 
of  her  Resources,  Advantages,  and  the  Inducements  she  offers 
to  those  seeking  Homes  in  the  West.  By  J.  W.  Bishop,  C.  E. 
Chatfield,  Minn. :  Holly  &  Brown,  Printers,  Republican  Office. 
1858.     12°:  pp.  40.     [Map.] 

City  of  Winona  and  Southern  Minnesota:  a  Sketch  of 
their  Growth  and  Prospects,  with  General  Information  for  the 
Emigrant,  Mechanic,  Farmer  and  Capitalist.  D.  Sinclair  & 
Co.,  Publishers.     1858.     8°  :  pp.  36. 

School  Law  :  with  the  Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  Board 
of  Education  of  the  City  of  St.  Anthony.  Thomas  &  Clark, 
Printers,  St.  Anthony.     1860.     12°:  pp.  15. 

The  Charter  and  Amendments  thereto,  and  Ordinances 
or  THE  City  of  St.  Anthony.  Printed  and  published  by 
authority  of  the  Corporation.  Thomas  &  Clark,  City  Printers. 
1861. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  27 

CoMMERCiAi.  Advertiser  Directory,  for  Saint  Anthony  and 
Minneapolis;  to  which  is  added  a  Business  Directory. 
1859-1860.  H.  E.  Chamberlain,  Publisher.  Saint  Anthony  & 
Minneapolis.  Printed  by  Croffut  &  Clarke,  News  Office. 
1859.     8°:  pp.  162. 

Summary  Statement  of  the  General  Interests  of  Manufac- 
ture and  Trade  connected  with  the  Upper  Mississippi.  By 
Hon.  David  Heaton.  Together  with  the  Hydrographical  Survey 
and  Geology  of  the  Mississippi  River  from  Fort  Snelling  to  St. 
Anthony  Falls,  by  T.  M.  Griffith  and  Dr.  C.  L.  Anderson. 
Riblished  by  the  Board  of  Trade  of  Minneapolis  and  St. 
Anthony.     1862.     8°:  pp.12. 

Minneapolis  Directory,  for  the  years  1865-6,  comprising  a 
complete  Directory  of  citizens  and  business  firms,  a  classified 
Business  Directory,  and  city  and  county  Register.  Price,  $2. 
Minneapolis :  E.  P.  Shaw,  Publisher.     1865.     8° :  pp.  99. 

Winona  Directory  for  1866-67:  Comprising  a  Complete 
List  of  all  residents  in  the  City ;  City  and  County  Officers, 
Churches,  Public  Schools,  etc.  Compiled  by  John  M.  Wolfe, 
Winona.     A.  Bailey,  Publisher.     1866.     8°  :  pp.  124. 

Geographical  and  Statistical  History  of  the  County 
OF  Olmsted,  together  with  a  general  view  of  the  State  of 
Minnesota,  from  its  Earliest  Settlement  to  the  present  time. 
By  W.  H.  Mitchell.  Rochester,  Minn. :  Shaver  &  Eaton, 
Printers.     1866.     16°:  pp.121. 

History  and  Business  Directory  of  Wright  County. 
Classified  by  Towns.  Containing  a  Correct  and  Concise  History 
of  Each  Town  and  Village  in  the  County,  together  with  a 
Classified  List  of  all  Business  Houses,  Statistics  of  Population, 
Wealth,  Increase,  Crops,  &c.  Published  by  George  Gray, 
Statesman  Office,  Monticello,  Minn.     1867.     16° :  pp.  32. 

Man-kato  and  Blue  Earth  County.  A  Brief  Review  of 
the  Past,  Present  and  Future  of  the  City,  together  with  its 
Geographical  and  Commercial  Position,  its  Schools,  Churches, 
Public  Halls,  Assessed  Valuation  and  Rapid  Growth  in  1866, 
&c.,  &c.  By  Wm.  B.  Griswold,  Editor  Mankato  Union. 
Printed  by  Griswold  &  Neff,  Union  Office.    1867.    12° :  pp.  20. 


28  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

A  View  of  St.  Anthony  Falls,  Present  and  Prospective : 
being  a  Report  of  the  Manufacturing,  Commercial  and  General 
Advantages  of  St.  Anthony  Falls,  Minnesota.  By  W.  D. 
Storey.  Minneapolis  :  Atlas  Printing  House.  1867.  8°:  pp. 
37. 

Waseca  County  in  Minnesota,  as  a  Home  for  Immigrants. 
By  Jas.  E.  Child.  Published  and  for  sale  at  the  Wilton 
Weekly  News  Office,  Wilton,  Minn.     1867.     18°  :  pp.  52. 

Geographical  and  Statistical  History  of  Steele  Coxjnty, 
from  its  Earliest  Settlement  to  the  Present  Time  ;  Embracing 
Leading  Incidents  of  Pioneer  Life,  Names  of  Early  Settlers, 
Nature  of  Soil,  Advantages  to  Settlers,  &c.,  &c.  By  W.  H. 
Mitchell.  Minneapolis ;  Tribune  Printing  Company.  1868. 
16°:  pp.97. 

Dakota  County.  Its  Past  and  Present,  Geographical,  Sta- 
tistical and  Historical,  together  with  a  General  View  of  the 
State  ;  by  W.  H.  Mitchell.  Tribune  Printing  Company,  Min- 
neapolis. 1868.  16^:  pp.  162.  [Steel  plate  of  Gen.  Sibley 
and  six  wood  cuts.] 

Geographical  and  Statistical  History  of  the  County  of 
Hennepin,  embracing  Leading  Incidents  in  Pioneer  Life,  the 
Names  of  the  Early  Settlers,  and  the  Progress  in  Wealth  and 
Population  to  the  Present  Time.  By  W.  H.  Mitchell  and  J.  H. 
Stevens.  Minneapolis:  Russell  &  Belfoy,  Printers.  1868. 
16°:  pp.  149. 

A  Record  of  Rice  County,  Minn.,  in  1868,  being  a  Review 
of  the  Settlement,  Growth  and  Prosperity  of  the  County,  and 
a  Brief  Description  of  its  Towns  and  Villages.  By  F.  W. 
Frink.  Faribault :  Printed  at  the  Central  Republican  Office. 
1868.     12°  :  pp.  24. 

Blue  Earth  County  :  Its  Advantages  to  Settlers.  A  De- 
scription of  its  History,  Progress,  Climate,  Soil,  Agricultural, 
Manufacturing  &  Commercial  Facilities.  To  which  is  added  a 
Brief  Description  of  the  Other  Counties  of  Southwestern  Min- 
nesota. By  J.  A.  Willard,  of  Mankato.  Published  by  J.  C. 
Wise,  "  Record'^  Office,  Mankato,  Minn.     1868.     8°  :  pp.  20. 


bibliography.  29 

The  Water  Power  of  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony.  1868. 
Third  Annual  Report  of  Manufacturing  Industry  at  the  Cities 
of  Minneapolis  and  St.  Anthony,  Minnesota,  &c.  Minneapo- 
lis.    1869.     8°:  pp.  16. 

Faribault  County,  Minnesota  :  Its  History,  Towns,  Climate, 
Improvements,  Villages,  Civil,  Religious,  Moral  and  Educa- 
tional Institutions,  &c.,  &c.  [No  imprint.]  12° :  pp.  24. 
[1868?] 

Supreme  Court  :   January  Term,    1868.     Village  of  Man- 

kato,  Respondent,  vs.  Jno.  A.  Willard  and  Sheldon  T.  Barney, 

Appellants,  &c.,  &c.     12°  :  pp.  38. 

fSupreme  Court  brief,  containing  quite  a  full  account  of  the  early  settle- 
ment  of  Mankato.] 

Board  of  Trade  of  the  City  of  Mankato.  Articles  of 
Corporation,  By-Laws,  Officers,  Committees  and  Members. 
Organized  Sept.  16,  1868.  Mankato,  Minnesota.  Mr-nkato 
Union  Print.     1869.     8°  :  pp.  14. 

Capt.  p.  B.  Davy's  Expedition.     Printed  April,   1868,   at 
Blue  Earth  City,  Minn.,  in  the  Office  of  the  "South  West." 
12°:  pp.  24. 
[Most  of  it  is  a  Sketch  of  Blue  Earth  City.] 

Rules  and  Regulations  for  the  government  of  the  Public 
Schools  in  the  City  of  Red  Wing,  Minnesota.  1869.  Argus 
Printing  House.     1869. 

Sale  of  Fort  Snelleng  Reservation.  Letter  from  the 
Secretary  of  War,  transmitting  Papers  Relative  to  the  Sale  of 
the  Fort  Snelling  Reservation.     Dec.  10,  1868.     8°:  pp.  107. 

[Ex.  Doc.  No.  9.    40th  Congress,  3d  Session;  H.  of  R.    Contains  a  valuable 
Documentary  History  of  Fort  Snelling,  and  other  historical  facts.] 

Strangers*  Guide  in  Minneapolis  and  Surrounding  Country. 
With  a  complete  and  accurate  description  of  all  Places  and 
Objects  of  Interest  to  Tourists,  Artists,  Sportsmen,  &c.  Tables 
of  Distances,  Statistics,  &c.  Prepared  by  a  Resident  [Newton 
H.  Chittenden?]  Minneapolis:  Tribune  Printing  Company. 
1869.     16°:  pp.40. 

Geographical  and  Statistical  Sketch  of  the  Past  and 
Present  of  Goodhue  County,  together  with  a  general  view  of 


30  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

the  State  of  Minnesota.  By  W.  H.  Mitchell,  Minneapolis : 
O.  S.  King's  Book  and  Job  Printing  House.  1869.  16°: 
pp.  191.     [4  wood  cuts.] 

Report  of  the  Select  Committee  to  which  was  referred  that 
part  of  the  Message  of  the  Governor  of  Minnesota  relating  to 
Duluth,  as  a  Harbor  and  Port  of  Entry.  Saint  Paul :  Pioneer 
Printing  Company.     1870.     8°:  pp.21.     [Map.] 

Mankato — Dedication  of  First  Presb.  Church :  see  "  Ser- 
mons," &c. 

Minneapolis — Westminster  Presby.  Church.         Do.         do. 

Parish  Manual   of  Gethsemane  Church:    see 

"Churches." 

Saint  Paul — Institution  of  the  Masonic  Order :  see  "  Ma- 
sonic." 

Catalogues   of   Baldwin   School   and    Female 

Seminary :  see  "  Catalogues,"  «&c. 

Saint  Anthony — Catalogues  of  Sigourney  Boarding  School 
and  State  University.  Do.  do. 

Red  Wing — Catalogues  of  Hamline  University. 

Manual    of    First    Presbyterian    Church    of: 

see  ''  Churches,"  &c. 

Stone  Heaps  at :  see  Vol.  I,  Histor.  Soc.  Coll. 

Faribault — Catalogues  of  St.  Mary's  Hall,  &c. :  see  "  Cata- 
logues." 

Bishop  Seabury  Mission :  see  "  Churches." 

NoRTHFiELD — Do.  of  Northficld  College  :  see  "  Catalogues." 
Wasioja — Do.  of  Minnesota  Seminary.         Do.  do. 

Fort  Snelling — See  Mrs.  Eastman's  "  Dahcotah." 

List  of  early  Steamboat  Arrivals  at :  see  Vol.  I, 

Histor.  Soc.  Collections. 

Occurrences  from  1819  to  1840 :  see  Vol.  H.  Do. 


BtBLIOGRAPHY.  31 

STATE  GAZETTEERS  AND  "DIRECTORIES." 

Minnesota  Gazetteer,  and  Business  Directory  for  1865. 
Containing  a  List  of  Cities,  Villages  and  Post  Offices  in  the 
State ;  a  list  of  Business  Firms,  etc.,  etc.  With  much  other 
Useful  Information.  Saint  Paul :  GroflT  &•  Bailey,  Publishers. 
1865.     8°  :  pp.  399. 

Merwin's  Business  Directory  op  Minnesota,  for  1869-70. 
Containing  a  Classified  List,  Alphabetically  Arranged  by 
Towns,  of  Business  Firms,  Manufacturing  Establishments, 
etc.,  etc.  Saint  Paul :  Heman  Merwin,  Publisher.  1869. 
8° :  pp. 308. 

EDWARif  s  Descriptive  Gazetteer  and  Commercial  Direc- 
tory OF  the  Misstssippi  River,  from  Saint  Cloud  to  New 
Orleans,  embracing  Historical  and  Descriptive  Sketches  of  all 
the  Cities,  Towns  and  Villages,  etc.,  etc.  Published  by  Edwards, 
Greenough  &  Deved,  St.  Louis.  1866.  8°:  pp.  1170.  [Maps 
and  numerous  cuts.] 


RELATIONS  OF  MINNESOTA  TO  THE  NORTHWEST. 

Speech  of  the  Hon.  Wm.  H.  Nobles,  together  with  Other 
Documents,  relative  to  an  Emigrant  Route  to  California 
and  Oregon,  through  Minnesota  Territory.  Printed  by  Order 
of  the  House  of  Representatives.  Saint  Paul :  Olmsted  & 
Brown,  Territorial  Printers.     1854.     8° :  pp.  13. 

Report  from  a  Select  Committee  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, on  the  Overland  Emigration  Route  from  Minnesota 
to  British  Oregon.  With  an  Appendix.  Printed  by  order  of 
the  H.  of  R.  St.  Paul :  Earle  S.  Goodrich,  State  Printer. 
1858.     8°:  pp.  100. 

Proceedings  of  a  Public  Meeting  of  Citizens  of  Minnesota, 
in  favor  of  a  Semi- Weekly  Overland  Mail  from  Saint  Paul  to 
Puget  Sound.  Held  Jan.  3,  1859.  Saint  Paul:  Pioneer 
Printing  Compan}^     1859.     8°:  pp.16. 

Memorial  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Saint  Paul,  rela- 


32  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

tive  to  the  Navigation  of  the  Red  River  of  the  North. 
Presented  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  Feb.  10,  1859,  by 
the  Hon.  James  M.  Cavanaugh,  of  Minnesota.  Washington, 
1859.     8°:  pp.  15. 

The  New  North  West.  By  [Rev.']  Burdett  Hart,  Fair 
Haven,  Conn.  [From  the  New  Englander  for  Nov.,  1859.] 
8°:  pp.  21. 

North- West  British  America,  and  Its  Relations  to  the 
State  of  Minnesota.  By  James  W.  Taylor.  Printed  as  a 
Supplement  to  the  Journal  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
Session  of  1859-60.  St.  Paul :  Newson,  Moore,  Foster  &  Co., 
Printers.     1860.     8°:  pp.  53.  i 

Do.     Do.     Another  edition,  from  type  of  the  "  Minne- 

sotian  &  Times."    March  3,  1860.     [With  map.] 

Relations  between  the  United  States  and  North- West  British 
America.  Letter  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  in  answer 
to  a  Resolution  of  the  House  of  20th  May  last,  &c.  [Exec. 
Doc.  No.  146  :  37th  Congress,  2d  Session.]  8°  :  pp.  85.  July 
11,  1862. 

Idaho  :  her  Gold  Fields,  and  the  Routes  to  them.  A  Hand 
Book  for  Emigrants.  By  Capt.  Jas.  L.  Fisk,  A.  Q.  M.  1863. 
New  York  :  John  A.  Gray,  Printer.     18°  :  pp.  99.     [Map.] 

[Reprint  of  the  foregoing.] 

Expedition  of  Capt.  Fisk  to  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Let- 
ter from  the  Secretary  of  War  in  answer  to  a  resolution  of  the 
House  of  Feb.  26.  Transmitting  report  of  Captain  Fisk  of  his 
late  expedition  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  Idaho.     8°  :  pp.  39. 

[March  3,  1864.    Ex.  Doc.  No.  45:  38th  Congress,  1st  Session.] 

Capt.  Fisk's  Fourth  Expedition  from  Saint  Cloud,  Minne- 
sota, to  the  Great  Gold  Fields  of  Montana,  &c.  3d  edition. 
St.  Paul :  Press  Printing  Company.     1866.     12°  :  pp.  12. 

[The  Winnipeg  Rebellion  :]  Message  of  the  President  of 
the  U.  S.  communicating,  in  compliance  with  a  resolution  of 
the  Senate,  information,  &c.  Feb.  3,  1870.  [Ex.  Doc.  No. 
33.]     8°  :  pp.  52. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  33 

Minnesota  and  the  Far  West. — See  "  Historical,  Descrip- 
tive," &c. 

Minnesota  and  Dacotah. —  Do.  do. 

Emigrant's  Guide  to  Iowa,  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota. —   Do. 

Tourist's  and  Invalid's  Gtuide  to  the  North  West. —       Do. 


HYDROGRAPHY  OF  THE  UPPER  MISSISSIPPI. 

Survey  of  Upper  Mississippi  River.  Letter  from  the 
Secretary  of  War,  in  answer  to  a  resolution  of  the  House  * 
*  *  with  General  Warren's  report  of  the  Surveys  of  the 
Upper  Mississippi  River  and  its  Tributaries.     8° :  pp.  116. 

[Senate  Doc. :  39th  Congress,  2d  Session.    Feb.  15, 1867.] 

Do.     Report  of  Gen.  Warren  for  year  ending  June  30, 


1861.     8°:  pp.  6. 

["Appendix  D;"   Report  of  the  Chief  of  Engineers.    Ex.  Doc.  No.  1:   H. 
of  R. ;  40th  Congress,  2d  Session.    Dated  Sept.  14, 1867.1 

Do.     Letter  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  transmitting 


General  Warren's  report  of  a  Survey  of  the  Upper  Mississippi 
River.     8°  :  pp.  10. 

[Ex.  Doc.  No.  247:  40th  Congress,  2d  Session.    April  8, 1868.] 

Do.     Report  of  Gen.  Warren  for  Year  ending  June  30, 

1868.     8°:  pp.  86. 

["Appendix  G ;  "  Report  of  the  Chief  of  Engineers.    Ex.  Doc.  I,  Part  2:  H. 
of  R.;  40th  Congress,  3d  Sesssion.    Dated  Aug.  HI,  1868.] 

"  Certain  Physical  Features  of  the  Upper  Mississippi 
River."  A  paper  read  by  Gen.  G.  K.  Warren  before  the 
American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science; 
Chicago,  111.     Aug.  5-12,  1868,     8°  :  pp.  6. 

Nicollet's  Report  on  the  Hydrography  of  the  Upper  Mis- 
sissippi.— See  "  Early  Explorations  and  Travels." 

Edward's    Directory    of    the    Mississippi    River. — See 

"  Gazetteers,"  &c. 

Hydrographical  Survey  of  the  Mississippi,  between  Fort 
.5 


34  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

Snelling  and  St.  Anthony  Falls. — See  "Town  and  County 
History." 

The  Water  Power  of  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony. — See  do. 

Memoir  on  the  Physical  Geography  of  Minnesota. — See 
Vol.  I,  Hist.  Soc.  Collec. 


THE  INDIAN  TRIBES  OF  MINNESOTA. 

Dahcotah  ;  or  Life  and  Legends  of  the  Sioux  around  Fort 
Snelling.  By  Mrs.  Mary  Eastman  ;  with  preface  by  Mrs.  C.  M. 
Kirkland.  Illustrated  from  drawings  by  Capt.  Eastman.  New 
York :  John  Wiley,  161  Broadway.    1849.     12°.    Pp.  xiii,  268. 

The  Romance  of  Indian  Life.     By  Mrs.  Mary  H.  Eastman. 
With  other   tales,   Selections  from  the   Iris,  an  illuminated 
Souvenir.     Philadelphia:    Lippincott,  Grambo  &   Co.     1853. 
8°.     Pp.  VI,  298.     [10  illustrations.] 
[Mrs.  Eastman  now  resides  in  "Washington  City,  D.  C] 

Letters  and  Notes  on  the  Manners,  Customs,  and  Condition 
of  the  North  American  Indians.  Written  during  eight  years' 
Travel  amongst  the  wildest  Tribes  of  Indians  in  North  America ; 
by  Geo.  Catlin.  In  two  volumes,  with  150  illustrations,  &c. 
Philadelphia :  Willis  P.  Hazard.     1857.     Pp.  792. 

Dahkotah  Land  and  Dahkotah  Life,  with  the  History  of 
the  Fur  Traders  of  the  extreme  Northwest  during  the  French 
and  British  Dominions.  By  Edw.  D,  Neill.  Philadelphia: 
Lippincott  &  Co.     1859.     8°  :  pp.  239. 

[This  is  a  reprint  of  a  portion  of  Neill's  History  of  Minnesota.] 

The  Sioux  War  :  What  has  been  done  by  the  Minnesota 
Campaign  of  1863 :  What  should  be  done  during  a  Dakota 
Campaign  of  1864,  Etc.  By  James  W.  Taylor.  Saint  Paul : 
Press  Printing  Co.     1863.     8° :  pp.  16. 

History  of  the  Sioux  War  and  Massacres  of  1862  and  1863  ; 
by  Isaac  V.  D.  Heard.  With  Portraits  and  Illustrations.  New 
York :  Harper  &  Brothers.  1864.  8° :  pp.  354.  [33  engrav- 
ings.] 


1 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  35 

Mrs.  Eastlick's  Narrative  [of  Captivity  among  the  Sioux] 

1863.  12^:  pp.  37. 

Dakota  War  Whoop;  or  Indian  Massacres  and  War  in 
Minnesota.  By  Harriet  E.  Bishop  McConkey.  Saint  Paul: 
Published  by  D.  D.  Merrill.  Press  Printing  Company.  1863. 
12°:  pp.  304. 

Dakota  War  Whoop:  or,  Indian  Massacres  and  War  in 
Minnesota,  of  1862-3.  By  Harriet  E.  Bishop  McConkey, 
Author  of  "Floral  Homes,"  &c.  Revised  Edition.  Saint 
Paul:  Published  for  the  Author.  Wm.  J.  Moses*  Press, 
Auburn,  N.  Y.     1864.     12°  :  pp.  429. 

Miss  Coleson's  Narrative  op  her  Captivity  Among  the 
Sioux  Indians !  An  Interesting  and  Remarkable  Account  of 
the  Terrible  Sufferings  and  Providential  Escape  of  Miss  Ann 
Coleson,  a  Victim  of  the  late  Indian  Outrages  in  Minnesota. 
Philadelphia :  Published  by  Barclay  &  Co.  1864.  8°  :  pp.  70. 
[Several  illustptions.] 

Sex  Weeks  jn  the  Sioux  Tepees  :  a  Narrative  of  Indian 
Captivity,  by  Mrs.  Sarah  F.  Wakefield.  Second  Edition. 
Shakopee  :  Argus  Printing  Office.     1864.     12° :  pp.  63. 

A  History  op  the  Great  Massacre  by  the  Sioux  Indians, 
in  Minnesota,  including  the  personal  narratives  of  many  who 
escaped.  By  Charles  S.  Bryant,  A.  M. ,  and  Abel  B.  Murch. 
(8th  thousand.)     Cincinnati :  Rickey  and  Carroll,  Publishers. 

1864.  12°:  pp.504.     [7  illustrations.] 

Effort  &  Failure  to  Civilize  the  Aborigines.  Letter  to 
Hon.  N.  G.  Taylor,  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  from 
Edward  D.  Neill,  late  Secretary  Minnesota  Historical  Socifety. 
Washington  :  Government  Printing  Office.     1868. 

Taopi  and  His  Friends  ;  or  the  Indian's  Wrongs  and  Rights. 
Philadelphia  :  Claxton,  Remsen  and  Haffelfinger.  1869.  12°. 
Pp.  xviii,  125.     [With  portrait  of  Taopi.] 

White  and   Red  ;    a  Narrative  of  Life  among  the  North 
West  Indians ;  by  Helen  C.  Weeks.     With  8  illustrations  by 
A.  P.  Close.    N.  Y.    Published  by  Hurd  &  Houghton.     1869. 
12°:  pp.  266. 
[Originally  printed  in  the  Riverside  Magazine.] 


36  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Tah-koo  Wah-kan  ;  or,  the  Gospel  among  the  Dakotas  ;  by 
Stephen  R.  Riggs,  A.  M.,  Missionary  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M. 
and  author  of  the  Dakota  Grammar  &  Dictionary.  With  an 
Introduction  by  S.  B.  Treat,  Secretary  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M. 
Boston ;  Cong.  Sabbath-School  and  Publishing  Society.  1869. 
12°:  pp.  491.     [3  illustrations.] 

Reminiscences  of  Hole-in-the-Day  (Elder  and  Younger;) 
Julius  T.  Clark ;  and  Rev.  A.  Brunson.  Wisconsin  Historical 
Collections.     Vol.  V,  pages  378-409.    [Madison.     1869.     8°.] 

Historical  and  Statistical  Information  Respecting  the 
History,  Condition  and  Prospects  of  the  Indian  Tribes  of  the 
United  States  :  Collected  and  prepared  by  Henry  R.  Schoolcraft, 
LL.  D.  Illustrated  by  Seth  Eastman,  Capt.  U.  S.  A.  Pub- 
lished by  Authority  of  Congress.  Philadelphia :  Lippincott, 
Grambo  &  Co.     1851-1857.     4°. 

[This  magnificent  work  contains  hundreds  of  references,  passim,  to  Minne- 
sota and  her  Indian  Tribes,  while  the  illustrations  of  Capt.  Eastman  almost 
wholly  refer  to  this  State,  its  Indian  population,  and  its  scenery.  The  fol- 
owing  papers  relate  entirely  to  Minnesota:] 

Vol.  I.  Geographical  Memoranda  respecting  the  Discovery  of  the  Missis- 
sippi River,  with  a  Map  of  its  Source,  pp.  133-149;  Minnesota,  pp. 
181-192;  Dacotahs  of  the  Mississippi,  by  Dr.  Thos.  S.  Williamson, 
pp.  247-256 ;  Census  of  Dakotahs,  p.  498. 

Vol.  II.  The  Dacotah  Tribe,  p.  37 ;  Natural  Caves  in  the  Mississippi 
River  banks  in  the  Sioux  Country,  by  I.  N.  Nicollet,  p.  95. 

Vol.  III.  Sioux,  or  Dakota  proper,  by  P.  Prescott,  pp.  225-247;  The  Gods 
of  the  Dakotas,  by  Capt.  S.  Eastman,  p.  485;  The  Giant's  Feast  and 
Dance,  do.  p.  487;  Indian  Population  of  the  Upper  Mississippi, 
1806,  by  Lieut.  Z.  M.  Pike,  pp.  562-570;  Sioux  Population  in  1836,  pp. 
612-615. 

Vol.  IV.  Manners,  Customs,  and  Opinions  of  the  Dakotas,  by  P.  Pres- 
cott, pp.  59-72;  Demoniacal  Observances  of  the  Dakotahs,  by  Capt. 
Eastman,  pp.  495-501 ;  Bibliography  of  Dakota  Books,  p.  546 ;  Power 
and  Influence  of  Dakota  Medicine  Men,  by  Rev.  G.  H.  Pond,  pp. 
635-655. 

Vol.  V.  Education  among  the  Dakotas,  by  Rev.  S.  R.  Riggs,  pp.  695-698 ; 
Sioux  Population  of  the  Seven  Tribes  in  1851,  by  P.  Prescott,  p.  101. 

Vol.  VI.  War  between  the  Chippewa  and  Sioux,  p.  387;  Cession  of  Terri- 
tory in  Minnesota  by  the  Chippewas,  p.  482;  Religion  and  Mytho- 
logical Opinions  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  Tribes,  p.  647. 

"  The  Mound  Builders,  &c."    By  Geo.  Gale.— See  "  Histori- 
cal, Descriptive,"  &c. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  37 

Perrot — Moeurs,  Coutumes,  Religion,  &c.,  des  Sauvages. — 
See  "  Early  Explorations,"  &c. 

Hennepin —  do. 

La  Hontan —  ao- 

Carver's  Travels. — See  "  Early  Explorations,"  &c. 

Tanner's  Narrative  of  Captivity. —  do. 

Schoolcraft — "  Personal  Memoirs,"  etc.        do. 


DAKOTA  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

In  preparing  this  list  of  Dakota  works,  (all  of  which  were  written  in 
Minnesota,  for  missions  located  in  this  State,  and  a  number  of  which  were 
also  printed  here,)  I  must  acknowledge  my  obligation  to  Rev.  S.  R.  Riggs, 
now  of  Ft.  Wadsworth,  D.  T.,  who  kindly  revised  the  list,  adding  interesting 
notes,  and  inserting  in  the  proper  chronological  order  some  titles  not  on  our 
catalogue,  at  the  same  time  presenting  us  with  copies  of  the  works,  thus 
making  our  collection  on  this  subject  very  complete. 

Sioux  Spelling  Book,  designed  for  the  use  of  native 
learners.  By  Rev.  J.  D.  Stevens,  Missionary.  12°:  pp.  22. 
Boston  :  Crocker  and  Brewster,  for  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.     1836. 

WicoNi  OwiHANKE  Wanin  Tanin  KIN.  1 2° :  pp.  23.  Boston  : 
Crocker  and  Brewster,  for  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.     1837. 

[This  little  tract  contains  Dr.  Watts'  Second  Catechism  for  Children, 
translated  into  the  Dakota  Language  by  Joseph  Renville,  Sen.,  and  Dr.  T.  S. 
Williamson.] 

The  Dakota  First  Reading  Book.  By  Gideon  H.  Pond 
and  Stephen  R.  Riggs.  18^:  pp.  50.  Cincinnati,  Ohio: 
Kendall  and  Henry,  for  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.     1839. 

Joseph  Oyakapi  kin.  The  Story  of  Joseph  and  his  Brethren, 
translated  from  Genesis  by  Revs.  Gideon  H.  and  Samuel  W. 
Pond.  18^  :  pp.  40.  Cincinnati :  Kendall  and  Henry,  for  the 
A.  B.  C.  F.  M.     1839. 

Extracts  from  Genesis  and  the  Psalms :  with  the  Third 
Chapter  of  Proverbs,  and  the  Third  Chapter  of  Daniel,  in  the 
Dakota  Language.  Translated  from  the  French  Bible  as  pub- 
lished by  the  Am.  Bible  Society,  by  Joseph  Renville,  Sr. 
Compared  with  other  translations,  and  prepared  for  the  press 


^8  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

by  Thomas   S.  Williamson,  M.  D.,  Missionary.     Cincinnati : 
Kendall  and  Henry,  for  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.     18° :  pp.  72.    1839. 

WoTANiN  Waxte  Markus  Owa  KIN.  The  Gospel  according 
to  Mark,  in  the  Language  of  the  Dakotas.  Translated  from  the 
French  by  Joseph  Renville,  Sr. :  written  out  and  prepared  for 
the  press  by  Dr.  Thomas  S.  Williamson,  Missionary.  Cincin- 
nati :  Kendall  and  Henry,  for  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  18° :  pp. 
96.    1839. 

Extracts  from  the  Gospels  of  Matthew,  Luke,  and  John,  from 
the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  and  from  the  First  Epistle  of  John, 
in  the  Language  of  the  Dakota  or  Sioux  Indians.  Translated 
from  the  French  as  published  by  the  Am.  Bible  Society,  by 
Joseph  Renville,  Sr.  Written  and  prepared  for  the  press  by 
Thomas  S.  Williamson,  M.  D.,  Missionary.  Cincinnati :  Ken- 
dall and  Henry.     18° :  pp.  48.     1839. 

WowAPi  Mitawa  :  Tamakoce  kaga.  My  Own  Book.  Pre- 
pared from  Rev.  T.  H.  Gallaudet's  "Mother's  Primer,"  and 
"  Child's  Picture  Defining  and  Reading  Book,"  in  the  Dakota 
Language.  By  S.  R.  Riggs,  A.  M.,  Missionary  of  the  A.  B.  C. 
F.  M.  Boston :  Crocker  and  Brewster.  Square  12°  :  pp.  64. 
1842. 

WowAPi  Inonpa.  The  Second  Dakota  Reading  Book.  Con- 
sisting of  Bible  Stories  from  the  Old  Testament.  By  Rev. 
S.  W.  Pond.  Boston :  Crocker  and  Brewster,  for  the  A.  B.  C. 
F.  M.     18°  :  pp.  54.     1842. 

Dakota  Dowanpi  kin.     Dakota  Hymns.     Boston :  Crocker 

and  Brewster,  for  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.     18°  :  pp.  97.     1842. 

[These  Hymns  were  composed  in  the  Dakota  Language  by  Mr.  Joseph 
Renville  and  sons,  and  the  Missionaries  of  the  Am.  Board.— S.  R.  R.] 

WoAHOPE  Wikcemna  KIN.  (Sheet.)  The  Ten  Command- 
ments and  the  Lord's  Prayer,  in  the  Dakota  Language.  Boston. 
1842. 

Eliza  Makpi-cokawin,  Raratonwan  Oyato  en  Wapiye  sa : 
qa  Sara  Warpanica  qon.  A  narrative  of  pious  Indian  women. 
Prepared  in  Dakota  by  Mrs.  M.  A.  C.  Riggs.  Boston  :  Crocker 
and  Brewster,  for  the  Am.  Tract  Society.     12° :  pp.  12.     1842. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  3(j 

WicoiCAGE  WowAPi  QA  Odowan  Wakan,  ETC.     The  Book  Of 
Genesis,  a  part  of  the  Psalms,  and  the  Gospels  of  Luke  and 
John.    Cmcinnati,Ohio  :  Kendall  and  Barnard,  for  the  A  B  C 
F.  M.     12°:  pp.  295.     1842. 

[These  translations  were  made  partly  from  the  original  Hebrew  and  Greek 
and  partly  from  the  French,  by  Dr.  T.  S.  Williamson,  Rev.  G  H  Pond  s  r 
Riggs,  and  Joseph  RenvlUe,  Sen.  1-S.  R.  R.]  ' 

Jesus  Ohnihdewicaye  cin  Aranyanpi  qon;  qa  Palos 
Wowapi  kage  ciqon ;  nakun,  Jan  Woyake  ciqon  dena  cepi. 
Tamakoce  okaga.  The  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  and  the  Epistles 
of  Paul  J  with  the  Revelation  of  John  ;  in  the  Dakota  Language. 
Translated  from  the  Greek,  by  Stephen  R.  Riggs,  A.  M. 
Published  by  the  Am.  Bible  Society.  Cincinnati :  Kendall  and 
Barnard.     12° :  pp.  228.     1843. 

Dakota  Wiwangapi  Wowapi.  Catechism  in  the  Dakota 
or  Sioux  Language.  By  Rev.  S.  W.  Pond,  Misssionary  of  the 
A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  New  Haven,  Conn. :  Printed  by  Hitchcock 
and  Stafford.     12°:  pp.12.     1844. 

Dakota  Tawoonspe.  Wowapi  I.  Tamakoce  kaga.  Dakota 
Lessons.  Book  I.  By  S.  R.  Riggs,  A.  M.,  Missionary  of 
A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  Louisville,  Ky. :  Morton  and  Griswold. 
Square  12°:  pp.  48.     1850.^ 

Dakota  Tawoonspe.  Wowapi  II.  Dakota  Lessons.  Book 
II.  By  S.  R.  Riggs,  Missionary,  etc.  Louisville,  Ky. :  Morton 
and  Griswold.     Square  12°:  pp.  48.     1850.^ 

Dakota  Tawaxitku  Kin.  The  Dakota  Friend,  a  small 
monthly  paper  in  Dakota  and  English,  published  at  Saint  Paul 
by  the  Dakota  Mission.     Rev.  G.  H.  Pond,   Editor.      1850-2. 

[In  all,  20  numbers  were  published.  The  first  12  (Vol.  I)  were  in  a  small 
three  column  size.  The  second  volume  was  enlarged  to  four  columns.  The 
first  number  was  issued  in  Nov.  1850.  It  is  asserted  that  there  is  but  one 
other  instance  known  of  a  periodical  being  published  in  an  American 
aboriginal  tongue,  viz.,  among  the  Cherokees.— W.] 

1.  Mr.  Renville  died  at  Lac  qui  Parle  in  1846.  Notices  of  him  maybe  found 
in  Rev.  E.  D.  Neill's  History  of  Minnesota,  and  also  in  "The  Gospel  among 
the  Dakotas"  by  S.  R.  Riggs. 

2.  The  printing  of  these  two  little  books  was  superintended  by  Kev 
Robert  Hopkins,  who  was  drowned  at  Traverse  des  Sioux  on  the  4th  of 
July,  1851. 


40  MINNESOTA    HISrOKICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

Grammar  and  Dictionary  of  the  Dakota  Language,  collected 
by  the  members  of  the  Dakota  Mission.  By  Rev.  S.  R.  Riggs, 
A.  M.,  Missionary  of  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  Under  the  patronage  of 
the  Historical  Society  of  Minnesota.  Printed  by  R.  Craighead, 
53  Vesey  Street,  New  York,  1852  ;  for  the  Smithsonian  lusti- 
tution,  Washington  City.     4°  :    pp.  34  ;  338. 

An  English  and  Dakota  Vocabulary.     By  Mrs.  M.  A.  C. 

Riggs.  8°  :  pp.  120.  1852.  [This  material  is  included  in  the 
larger  work,  put  in  this  smaller  form  for  the  use  of  Dakota 
schools.] 

[Having  lived  twenty-eight  years  in  Minnesota,  twenty-five  of  'which  was 
among  the  Dakotas,  Mrs.  Riggs  died  in  Beloit,  Wis.,  March  22,  1869.1 

Dakota  Odowan.  Hymns  in  the  Dakota  Language  with 
Tunes.  Edited  by  S.  R.  Riggs,  Missionary  of  A.  B.  C.  F.  M. 
Published  by  the  American  Tract  Society,  New  York.  1855. 
W:  pp.  127. 

The  Pilgrim's  Progress,  by  John  Bunyan ;  in  the  Dakota 
language  ;  translated  by  Stephen  R.  Riggs,  A.  M.,  Missionary 
of  A.  B.  C.  F.  M..  Published  by  the  American  Tract  Society, 
150  Nassau  Street,  New  York.     18°  :  pp.  264.     1857. 

[A  second  edition  has  been  printed.  From  this  on,  our  books  have  been 
nearly  all  stereotyped.— S.  R.  R.] 

The  Constitution  of  Minnesota,  in  the  Dakota  language  ; 
translated  by  Stephen  R.  Riggs,  A.  M.  By  order  of  the 
Hazlewood  Republic.  Boston  :  Press  of  T.  R.  Marvin  &  Son, 
42  Congress  Street.     12°  :  pp.  36.     1858. 

WowAPi  NiTAWA.  Your  own  Book.  A  Dakota  Primer  for 
schools.  By  S.  R.  Riggs.  Square  12°  :  pp.  32.  Minneapolis. 
1863. 

Dakota  Odowan.     Hymns  in  the  Dakota  Language.     Edit- 
^  ed  by  Stephen  R.  Riggs  and  John  P.  Williamson,  Missionaries 
of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.     Published  by  the  American  Tract  So- 
ciety, New  York.     1863.     18°  :  pp.  162. 

[This  book  is  electrotyped.  Four  editions  have  been  printed.  To  the  last, 
published  in  1869,  twenty  pages  of  new  matter  were  added.    The  book  now 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  41 

has  pp.  182,  and  contains  170  Hymns  and  Chants.  The  initials  of  the  authors 
areappended— "Mr.  R.,"  "J.R.,"  "A.R.,"  "T.S.  W.,"  "G.H.P.""S  W 
P.,"  "J.  P.  W.,"  "A.  W.  H.,"  "  L.  L."  and  "  A.  D.  F."]l 

Dakota  Wiwicawangapi  kin.    Dakota  Catechism.   Prepared 
from  the  Assembly's   Shorter   Catechism.     By  S.  R.  Riggs, 
Missionary  of  A.  B.  C.   F.   M.     Published  by  the  American 
Tract  Society,  New  York.     24^  :  pp.  36.     1864. 
[Two  editions  have  been  printed.] 

WooNSPE  Itakihna.  Ehakeun  okaga.  "  Precept  upon  Pre- 
cept," translated  into  the  Dakota  Language  by  John  B.  Ren- 
ville. Prepared  for  the  press  by  S.  R.  Riggs.  Published  by 
the  American  Tract  Society,  Boston.     18°  :  pp.  228.     1864. 

OowA  Wowapi.  The  book  of  Letters  ;  an  illustrated  school 
book.  By  John  P.  Williamson,  Missionary  of  A.  B.  C.  F.  M. 
Printed  for  the  mission  by  the  American  Tract  Society,  New 
York.     12°;  pp.  84.     1865. 

Dakota  Wowapi  Wakan  kin.  JThe  New  Testament  in  the 
Dakota  Language  ;  translated  from  the  original  Greek,  by  Ste- 
phen R.  Riggs,  A.  M.,  Missionary  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  New 
York:  American  Bible  Society.     16°:  pp.  408.     1865. 

WicoiCAGE  Wowapi,  Mowis  owa:  qa  Wicoie  Wakan  kin, 
Solomon  kaga.  Pejihuta  Wicashta  Dakota  iapi  en  kaga.  The 
Books  of  Genesis  and  Proverbs  in  the  Dakota  Language ; 
translated  from  the  original  Hebrew,  by  Thomas  S.  Williamson, 
A.  M.,  M.  D.  New  York :  American  Bible  Society.  1865. 
16°:  pp.  115. 

Dakota  A.  B.  C.  Book.  By  S.  R.  Riggs.  Chicago :  Dean 
and  Ottawary.     Square  12°  :  pp.  40.     1866. 

Dakota  A.  B.  C.  Wowapi  kin.  The  Dakota  Primer.  By 
S.  R.  Riggs,  Missionary  of  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  New  York  :  Amer- 
ican Tract  Society.     Square  12° :  pp.  64.     1868. 

The  Book  of  Psalms.     Translated  from  the  Hebrew  into  the 

1  The  iuitals  "A.  W.  H.  "  and  "A.  D.  F."  stand  for  Amos  W.  Huggins  and 
Autoine  D.  Freniere.  The  former  was  killed  at  his  home  at  Lac-qui-Parle  on 
tlie  19th  of  August,  1862,  the  second  day  of  the  outbreak.  Notices  of  Mr.  Hug- 
gins  may  be  found  in  "  The  Gospel  among  the  Dalcotas."  Mr.  Freniere,  who 
was  himself  a  haif-breed,  was  Icilled  by  hostile  Indians,  in  the  summer  of 
1863,  as  he  descended  the  Missouri  River  in  a  canoe,  alone.— S.  R.  R. 
6 


42  MINNESOTA    HISfORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

Dakota  language,  by  S.  R.  Riggs,  Missionary  of  the  A.  B.  C. 
F.  M.  New  York :  American  Bible  Society.  16° :  pp.  133. 
1869. 

The  Books  of  Exodus  and  Leviticus.  Translated  from  the 
Hebrew  into  the  Dakota  language,  by  T.  S.  Williamson,  M.  D., 
Missionary  of  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  New  York :  American  Bible 
Society.     16°  :  pp.  65  and  47.     1869. 

Wakantanka  Ti  Ki  Canku.  \^Patli  to  Heaven.']  By  Rev. 
A.  Ravoux.  2d  edition.  St.  Paul :  Pioneer  Printing  Com- 
pany.    1863.     18°:  pp.  88. 

Calvary  Wiwicawangapi  Wow^api,  &c.  (Calvary  Catechism 
in  the  Dakota  language.)  Translated  for  the  Mission  of  St. 
John.  Faribault,  Minn. :  Central  Republican  Office.  1864. 
24° :  pp.  50. 

[By  Rev.  S.  D.  Hinman  ?] 

Ikce  Wocekiye  Wowapi.  Qa  Isantanka  Makoce.  Kin  en 
Token  Wohduze,  qa  okodakiciye  Wakan  en  Tonakiya  Woecon 
kin,  hena  de  he  Wowapi  kin  ee.  Samuel  Dutton  Hinman, 
MissionarjT^  to  Dakotas.  St.  Paul :  Pioneer  Printing  Compan}^ 
1865.     12°:  pp.  321. 

[A  translation  of  the  Episcopal  Book  of  Common  Prayer.] 

Odowan.  \_Hymns.']  Philadelphia:  McCalla  &  Stavely, 
Printers.     1869.     24° :  pp.  26. 

[By  Rev.  S.  D.  Hinman?] 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Della  Vita  E  Degli  Scritti  di  Costantino  Beltrami  da  Ber- 
gamo. Scropritore  delle  Fonti  del  Missisipi,  di  Gabriele 
Rosa.  Bergamo,  dalla  Tipografia  Pagnoncelli :  1861.  12°: 
pp.  34. 

Costantino  Beltraaii  da  Bergamo.  Notizie  e  Lettere  pub- 
blicate  per  cura  del  Municipio  di  Bergamo,  e  dedicate  alia 
Societa'  Storica  di  Minnesota.  Bergamo,  dalla  Tipografia 
Pagnoncelli.     1865.     8°:  pp.134.     [Photo,  of  Beltrami.] 

Serving  our  Generation.     A  Discourse  Commemorative  of 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  43 

the  Life  Work  of  John  D.  Ford,  M.  D.  Delivered  in  the  First 
Baptist  Church,  Winona,  Nov.  3,1867.  By  Rev."  George  M. 
Stone.  Winona:  Green  &  Gile,  Printers.  1867.  12°:  pp. 
18.     [Photographic  portrait.] 

The  Poets  and  Poetry  of  Minnesota— See   ''  Poetical  and 
Literary." 

Tanner,  John — See  Tanner's  Captivity. 

Taopi  (or  "  Wounded  Man")— See  ''The  Indian  Tribes,"  &c. 

Sketch  op  J.  N.  Nicollet— See  vol.  I,  Hist.  Soc.  Coll. 

Sketch  op  Joseph  Renville — See     do.  do. 

Sketch  of  J.  M.  Goodhue — See        do.  do. 

Sketch  of  Constantine  Beltrami — See  Vol.  II,  Hist.  Soc. 
Collections. 

Sketch  op  Carver — See  Carver  Centenarj-. 


MILITARY. 


Correspondence  on  the  Occasion  of  the  Presentation  by 
Major  Gen.  Sanford,  United  States  Minister,  Resident  at  the 
Court  of  Brussels,  of  a  Battery  of  Steel  Cannon,  to  the  State 
of  Minnesota,  for  the  use  of  the  First  Minnesota  Regiment  of 
Volunteers.  St.  Paul:  Press  Printing  Company.  1862.  8°: 
pp.  12. 

[War  Record  op  Minnesota.]  Annual  Report  of  the  Adju- 
tant General  of  the  State  of  Minnesota  for  the  year  ending 
Dec.  1,  1866,  and  of  the  Military  Forces  of  the  State,  from 
1861  to  1866.  Saint  Paul :  Pioneer  Printing  Company.  1866. 
8° :  pp.  805. 

History  of  the  Third  Regiment  Infantry  Minnesota  Vol- 
unteers, with  the  Final  Record  of  the  Original  Regiment.  Com- 
piled by  C.  W.  Lombard.  Faribault:  Central  Republican 
Office.     1869.     Pp.  16. 


44  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

MASONIC. 

By-Laws  of  St.  Paul  Lodge  No.  1,  of  Free  and  Accepted 

Masons ;  and  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio.     Adopted  1849. 

St.  Paul:  Printed  by  J.  A.  Aitkenside.     1849.     16^:  pp.  36. 

[Contains  a  brief  History  of  the  establishment  of  the  Order  in  this  State.] 

Installation  Address  to  St.  Paul  Lodge  No.  3,  by  Brother 
A.  C.  Smith,  P.  M.,  delivered  on  the  evening  of  Dec.  22,  1857, 
the  237th  Anniversary  of  the  Landing  of  the  Pilgrims.  Print- 
ed by  order  of  the  Lodge.  St.  Paul :  Pioneer  &  Democrat 
Office.     8°  :  pp.  10. 

Public  Celebration  of  St.  John  the  Baptist's  Day,  by 
Winona  Lodge  No.  18,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  Dedication  of  their 
Hall  and  Address,  by  the  M.-.  W.-.  A.  T.  C.  Pierson,  O.-.  M.*., 
at  Winona,  June  24,  1863.  St.  Paul :  Pioneer  Printing  Com- 
pany.    1863.     8°:  pp.  19. 

Public  Installation  of  the  Officers  of  Hennepin  Lodge 
No.  4,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  Dec.  27,  1862, 
and  Address  by  the  M.-.  W.-.  A.  T.  C.  Pierson,  G.\  M.-.  St. 
Paul:  Pioneer  Printing  Company.     1863.     8°:  pp.19. 

Proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  ©f  Ancient  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  of  Minnesota,  at  its  Grand  Annual  Communica- 
tions in  the  City  of  St.  Paul ;  from  Februar^^  25,  A.*.  L.-.  5853, 
to  January  14,  A.-.  L.*.  5869.  St.  Paul :  Pioneer  Book  and 
Job  Printing  Company.     1869.     8°  :  pp.  695. 

Ceremonial  for  a  Lodge  of  Sorrow.  Compiled  and  Ar- 
ranged by  A.  T.  C.  Pierson,  33,  for  Ancient  Landmark  Lodge, 
No.  5,  at  the  request  of  H.  L.  Carver,  W.-.  M.*.  St.  Paul : 
Pioneer  Printing  Company.     1869.     12° :  pp.  19. 


RAILROADS. 
The  Railroad  System  of  the  State  of  Minnesota,  with  its 
Connections.     By  James  W.  Taylor.     Reported  to  the  Com- 
mon Council  of  the  City  of  St.  Paul,  March  31,  1859,  in  pursu- 
ance of  a  Resolution  of  the  City  Council.     1,000  copies  ordered 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  45 

printed  by  the  St.  Paul  Common  Council.     St.  Paul :  Geo.  W. 
Moore,  City  Printer.     1859.     8°  :  pp.  22. 

An  Act  Proposing  a  Loan  of  State  Credit  to  the  Land  Grant 
Railroad  Companies  ;  with  arguments  in  favor  of  its  Approval 
by  the  Feople.  St.  Paul :  Pioneer  and  Democrat  Office.  8° : 
pp.  32. 

Issue  of  Minnesota  State  Bonds  to  Land  Grant  Railroads. 
St.  Paul :  Pioneer  and  Democrat  Office.     1858.     8°  :  pp.  8. 

In  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  December  Term, 
1855.  The  United  States  vs.  the  Minnesota  and  North  Western 
Railroad  Company.  Motion  for  the  United  States.  C.  push- 
ing, Attorney  General.     8°:  pp.  11. 

Memorial  of  the  Minnesota  and  North  Western  Railroad 
Company  to  His  Excellency  James  Buchanan,  President  of  the 
United  States.     1857.     New  York:  8°:  pp.  12. 

Charter,  By-Laws  and  Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  Minne- 
apolis and  Cedar  Valley  Railroad  Company.  Adopted  by  the 
Board  of  Directors  at  a  Session  held  at  Northfield,  July  9, 1857. 
St.  Paul :  Goodrich,  Somers  &  Co.,  Printers.     1857. 

First  Annual  Report  of  the  President  and  Directors  of  the 
Minnesota  Central  Railway  Company ;  with  the  Report  of  the 
Chief  Engineer  and  Superintendent;  also,  a  Compilation  of 
Acts  of  the  Legislature,  and  of  Congress,  relating  to  the  same. 
January  1,  1866.     Minneapolis:  1866.     8°:  pp.  88. 

An  Act  to  Incorporate  the  Nininger  and  St.  Peter  Western 
Railroad  Company.  Approved  March  4,  1857.  St.  Paul : 
Goodrich,  Somers  &  Co.,  Printers.     1857.     8° :  pp.  13. 

The  Minnesota  Valley  Railroad  Company,  St.  Paul,  Min- 
nesota. Organized  March  16,  1864.  Grants  of  Land,  Char- 
ter and  Laws  upon  which  the  organization  is  based.  St.  Paul : 
Pioneer  Office.     1866.     8°  :  pp.  46. 

Trust  Deed,  Securing  the  First  Mortgage  Bonds,  with  Plan 
of  Preferred  Stock,  First  and  Second  Issue.  Minnesota  Valley 
Railroad  Company,  St.  Paul,  June,  1867.  Ramaley  &  Hall, 
Printers.     8°  :  pp.  39. 

The  Minnesota  Valley  Railroad,  forming  Part  of  the  Ex- 


46  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

tension  of  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  via  Sioux  City  and  St. 
Paul,  to  Lake  Superior.  Its  Construction  and  Resources. 
Office,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota.  New  York :  1868.  8° :  pp.  8. 
[Map.] 

Agreement  and  M6rtgage  of  St.  Paul  and  Sioux  City  Rail- 
road Company,  Securing  Special  Stock.  St.  Paul :  Dispatch 
Printing  Company.     8°:  pp.16,     [ti.  d.] 

Grant  of  Lands  to  the  Minnesota  and  Pacific  Railroad  Com- 
pany, and  others,  together  with  Act  of  Congress  in  Relation  to 
the  Same.  St.  Paul :  Goodrich,  Somers  &  Co.,  Printers.  1857. 
8° :  pp.  27. 

Do.     Do.    The  Acceptance  of  the  Grant,  and  By-Laws 

of  the  Company.  St.  Paul :  Goodrich,  Somers  &  Co.,  Printers. 
1857.     8°:  pp.39. 

First  Report  of  the  Officers  of  the  Minnesota  and  Pacific 
Railroad  Company.  Presented  January  12,  1858.  St.  Paul: 
Goodrich,  Somers  &  Co.,  Printers.     8°  :  pp.  20. 

First  Division  of  the  St.  Paul  and  Pacific  Railroad  Com- 
pany, St.  Paul,  Minn.  Organized  February  6,  1864.  Grants 
of  Land,  Charter,  Agreement  and  Proceedings  upon  which  the 
Organization  is  based.    New  York :  1865.    8°  :  pp.  88.  [Map.] 

Rapport  van  den  Ingenieur,  J.  H.  Kloos,  omtrent  den  St. 
Paul-en  Pacific  Spoorweg,  en  de  waarde  der  Landerijen,  uit- 
makende  het  onderpand  der  7  pCt  Obligatien.  [Printed  at 
Amsterdam,  1866.]     8°  :  pp.  14. 

The  First  Division  of  the  St.  Paul  and  Pacific  Railroad 
Company,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota.  Main  Line,  from  St.  Anthony 
to  Breckenridge.  Organized  February  6,  1864.  Grants  of 
Land,  Charter,  &c.     St.  Paul :  1868.     8°  :  pp.  84. 

Guide  to  the  Lands  of  the  First  Division  of  the  St.  Paul 
and  Pacific  Railroad  Company.  Main  and  Branch  Lines,  &c. 
St.  Paul,  Minnesota :  Pioneer  Printing  Company.  1868.  8°  : 
pp.  25.     [Numerous  Maps.] 

A  Guide  to  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Railroad  Lands  : 
Winona,  Minn.  1865.  Milwaukee :  Sentinel  Printing  House. 
8°:  pp.  11. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  47 

Southern  Minnesota  Railroad  Company.  Prospectus,  with 
Charter,  Land  Grants,  Map,  Statistics,  etc.  New  York: 
Brown  &  Hewitt,  Printers,  3?  Park  Row.  1865.  8°:  pp.  78 
[Map.] 

Do.     Another  edition :  1868.     pp.  32.     [Map.] 

Prospectus  of  the  Southern  Minnesota  Railroad.  Maps 
and  Statistics.  *  *  New  York  :  Brown  &  Hewitt,  Printers, 
30  Frankfort  street.     1869.     8°  :  pp.  20.     [Maps.] 

Statement  of  the  St.  Paul  and  Chicago  Railway  Company. 
Respecting  the  issue  of  its  First  Mortgage  Land  Grant  Sinking 
Fund  Bonds,  &c.  St.  Paul :  Ramaley  &  Hall,  Commercial 
Office.     1867.     8° :  pp.  15.     [Map.] 

Circular  of  the  Burlington,  Cedar  Rapids  and  Minnesota 
Railway  Company.     [N.  Y.,  1869.]     8°:  pp.  36.     [Map.] 

An  Act  to  Incorporate  the  Lake  Superior  and  Mississippi 
Railroad  Company,  approved  March  8,  1861.  Also,  An 
Amendment,  approved  March  6, 1863.  St.  Paul :  Press  Print- 
ing Company.     1863.     8° :  pp.  15. 

State  and  Congressional  Legislation  relating  to  the  Lake 
Superior  and  Mississippi  Railroad  Company.  St.  Paul :  Press 
Print.     1864.     8° :  pp.  33. 

Do.     With  report  of  the  Engineer,     pp.  33. 

Legislation  Relating  to  the  Lake  Superior  and  Mississippi 
Railroad  Company.  Printed  by  D.  Ramaley.  St.  Paul :  1864. 
8° :  pp.  24. 

Report  of  the  Engineer  of  the  Lake  Superior  and  Missis- 
sippi Railroad  Co.     St.  Paul :  Press  Print.     1864.     8°  :  pp.  7. 

The  Lake  Superior  and  Mississippi  Railroad,  Connecting 
the  Mississippi  and  Minnesota  Rivers  and  the  Railroad  System 
of  Minnesota  and  California  with  Lake  Superior.  St.  Paul : 
Press  Printing  Company.     1864.     8°:  pp.11. 

Do.  Another  edition,  with  Map.  pp.56.  Presa  Print- 
ing Company.     1866. 

Do.     Another  edition,  [no  imprint.]     pp.  71.    [Map.] 

Do.     Another  edition.    Press  Prniting  Company.   1868. 

pp.  76.     [Map.] 


48  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Pacific  Railroad  Surveys.  Letter  from  the  Secretary  of 
War,  [Jeff.  Davis]  transmitting  Reports  of  Surveys,  &c.,  of 
Railroad  Routes  to  the  Pacific  0(!ean.  [House  of  Reps.  Ex. 
Doc.  No.  46,  33d  Cong.,  1st  sessioll|  February  6,  1854.]  8°  : 
pp.  118. 

Reports  of  Explorations  and  Surveys,  to  ascertain  the 
most  practicable  and  economical  Route  for  a  Railroad  from  the 
Mississippi  River  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  Made  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  1853-4,  according  to  Acts  of 
Congress  of  March  3,  1853  ;  May  31,  1854,  and  August  5, 
1854.     [Thirteen  Volumes,  quarto.]     Washington:    1855-60. 

single  papers. 

1.  Route  near  the  47th  and  49th  Paralells  of  North  Latitude.    Vol.  1.    pp. 

39-55. 

2.  Synopsis  of  a  report  of  the  Reconnoisance  of  a  Railroad  Route  from 

PugetSound  via  South  Pass  to  the  Mississippi  River.    By  Fred.  W. 
Lander,  Civil  Engineer.    Washington,  D.  C    1856.    pp.45.    Vol.11. 
Volume  Xll,  Parts  I  and  II,  are  xoholly  devoted  to  the  Northern  Boute^  viz  : 
Part  I.  1.    Narrative  and  final  Report  of  Exploration  for  a  Route  for  a  Pa- 
cific Railroad  near  the  47th  and  49th  paralells  of  North  Latitude,  from 
St.  Paul  to  Puget  Sound,  by  Isaac  I.  Stevens,  Governor  of  Washington 
Territory.    1855.    pp.  358:41.    [2  Maps.  1  Profile,  70  Engravings.] 
Part  II.  2.    Botanical  Report,    pp.  7-76 ;   6  plates.    3 ;  Zoological  Report ; 
pp.  1-399.    Plates  76. 

The  Great  Commercial  Prize,  addressed  to  every  American 
who  values  the  prosperity  of  his  country.  By  Charles  C.  CoflSn, 
a  member  of  the  Boston  Press.  Boston :  A.  Williams  &  Co., 
100  Washington  street.     1858.     8°  :  pp.  23. 

Speech  of  Hon.  James  Shields,  of  Minnesota,  on  the 
Pacific  Railroad  Bill ;  delivered  in  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  January  7,  1859.     Washington :  1859.     8°  :  pp.  6. 

Pacific  Railroad.  Minority  Report,  of  Hon.  C.  Aldrich, 
from  the  Select  Committee  on  the  Pacific  Railroad,  submitting 
considerations  in  favor  of  the  Northern  Route.  House  Doc. 
No.  428,  36th  Cong.,  1st  Sess.,  April  16,  1860.     8° :  pp.  9. 

Pacific  Railroad — Northern  Route.  Letter  of  Hon.  Isaac 
I.  Stevens,  Delegate  from  Washington  Territory,  to  the  Rail- 
road Convention  of  Washington  and  Oregon,  called  to  meet 
at  Vancouver,  W.  T.,  May  20, 1860.  Washington  :  T.  McGill, 
Printer.     1860.     8° :  pp.  24. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  49 

Northern  Pacific  Railroad  Company.  Policy  for  the  man- 
agement of  its  affairs,  adopted  by  the  Board  of  Directors,  Jan. 
11,  1865.     8°  :  pp.  4.     [No  imprint.] 

Boston  Board  of  Trade.  Report  on  the  Northern  Pacific 
Railroad,  made  to  the  Government  of  the  Board,  and  unani- 
mously adopted,  November  27,  1865.  Boston:  1865.  8°: 
pp.  22. 

Northern  Pacific  Railroad.  Memorial  of  the  Board  of 
Direction  of  the  Company,  with  communications  from  Lieut. 
Gen.  Grant,  Br.  Maj.  Gen.  Meigs,  Q.  M.  G. ;  and  Brv.  Maj. 
Gen.  Ingalls,  A.  Q.  M. ;  and  Report  of  the  Engineer  in  Chief. 
Nov.,  1867.  [Senate  Mis.  Doc.  No.  9,  40th  Cong.,  2d  Sess., 
Dec.  17,  1867.]     8°:  pp.  39.     [Map.] 

Same  ;  another  edition.     Case,  Lockwood  &  Co.,  Hart- 


ford :  pp.  56.    [2  Maps.] 

Northern  Pacific  Railroad.  Statement  of  its  Resources 
and  Merits,  as  presented  to  the  Pacific  Railroad  Committee  of 
Congress,  H.  R.,  by  Hon.  J.  Gregory  Smith,  Hon.  R.  D.  Rice, 
of  Maine  ;  Hon.  Wm.  B.  Ogden,  of  Chicago ;  Gov,  Marshall, 
of  Minn.,  and  Edwin  F.  Johnson,  Civ.  Eng.,  March,  1868. 
Washington :  Intelligencer  Pr.  House.     8° :  pp.  24. 

Letter  upon  the  Agricultural  and  Mineral  Resources  of  the 
North-Western  Territories,  on  the  Route  of  the  Northern  Pacific 
Railroad.  By  Philip  Ritz,  of  Walla  Walla.  Chronicle  Print, 
Washington,  D.  C.     [1868.]     8° :  pp.  8. 

The  Northern  Pacific  Railway  ;  its  eflfect  upon  the  Public 
Credit,  the  Public  Revenues,  and  the  Public  Debt.  Speech  of 
Hon.  William  Windom,  of  Minnesota,  delivered  in  the  House 
of  Representatives,  January  5,  1869.  Washington :  Gibson 
Brothers,  Printers.     1869.     8° :  pp.  60. 

The  Policy  of  Extending  Government  Aid  to  additional 
Railroads  to  the  Pacific,  by  Guaranteeing  interest  on  their 
Bonds.  Report  of  the  Majority  of  the  Senate  Committee  on 
Pacific  Railroad.  February  19,  1869.  [Senate  Doc.  No.  219, 
40th  Cong.,  3d  Session.]     8°  :  pp.  31. 


50  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Northern  Pacific  Railroad.  Report  of  Edwin  F.  Johnson, 
Engineer  in  Chief,  to  the  Board  of  Directors.  April,  1869. 
Hartford:  1869.     8°  :  pp.  78.     [6 maps,'] 


SOCIETIES  AND  CONVENTIONS. 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.     Proceedings  of  the 
R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  Minnesota.  1854  to  1869.    8°  :  pp.  528. ' 

Journal  of  the  Second  Sitting  of  the  Third  House  of  Sover- 
eigns. Saturday  Evening,  Feb.  16, 1856.  Sol.  Smith,  Printer 
to  the  "  Sovereigns."     8° :  pp.  15. 

Do.     Third   Session.     Printed  at  the  expense  of  the 

Sovereigns  :  1860.     8°  :  pp.  24. 

Reports  of  the  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  Club  of  the 
Minnesota  Legislature,  held  at  the  State  House,  St.  Paul,  dur- 
ing the  Winter  of  1859-60.  Minneapolis  :  Hyde  &  Williams, 
Minnesota  Beaeon  Office.     8° :  pp.  32. 

Third  Annual  Fair  of  the  Hennepin  County  Agricultural 
Society,  to  be  held  at  Minneapolis,  Sept.  26,  27  and  28,  1865. 
Atlas  Printing  Company,  Minneapolis,  Minn. :  1865.  8° : 
pp.  15. 

Fourth  Annual  Fair,  do.     1866.    Pp.  21. 

Premium  List  and  Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  8th  Annual 
Fair  of  the  Minnesota  State  Agricultural  Society,  to  be  held 
at  the  Fair  Ground  in  Rochester,  on  the  2d,  3d,  4th  and  5th  of 
October,  1866.  Atlas  Printing  Company,  Minneapolis  :  1866. 
8° :  pp.  35. 

Do.     10th  Annual  Fair,  at  Minneapolis,  1868.     Pp.  31. 

Do.     11th      "  "     at  Rochester,  1869.     Pp.31. 

Proceedings  of  the  First  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Minnesota 
Editors'  and  Publishers'  Association,  held  at  St.  Paul,  Febru- 
ary 20  and  21,  1867.     12°  :  pp.  21. 

-^ Do.     For  1868.     8°  :  pp.  22. 

Do.     For  1869.     8°  :  pp.  36. 


BiBLIOGRA.PHY.  51 

Proceedings  op  the  Convention  of  Colored  Citizens  of  the 
State  of  Minnesota,  in  Celebration  of  the  Anniversary  of  Eman- 
cipation, and  the  Reception  of  the  Electoral  Franchise,  on  the 
First  of  January,  1869.  St.  Paul :  Press  Print.  1869.  8° : 
pp.  31. 

Transactions  of  the  Minnesota  State  Medical  Society. 
St.  Paul:  Pioneer  Book  and  Job  Printing  Company.  1870. 
8°:  pp.  46. 


SCHOOL  AND  COLLEGE  CATALOGUES. 
Catalogues  of  the  Baldwin  School  and  the  Academic  De- 
partment of  the  College  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,     mdcccliv. 
St.  Paul :  Printed  at  the  Minnesotian  Office.  1854.  8° :  pp.  15. 

Addresses  at  Dedication  op  Baldwin  School  :  see  "  Saint 
Paul." 

Circular  and  Catalogue  of  the  Saint  Paul  Female  Semi- 
nary, Saint  Paul,  Minnesota.  1858-1861.  St.  Paul :  Pioneer 
Print.     1861.     8°:  pp.  12. 

Do.     For   1862-1864.     Printed   by  F.  Somers,  New 

York.     Pp.  16. 

First  Annual  Catalogue  of  the  Preparatory  Department  of 
the  Hamline  University,  Red  Wing,  Minn.,  Aug.,  1855.  Red 
Wing:  Meritt  &  Hutchins,  Printers.     1855.     8°:  pp.  17. 

Biennial  Catalogue  of  Hamline  University,  for  the  Collegi- 
ate Year  1859-60.  Red  Wing,  Minnesota :  Hubbard  &  Davis, 
Printers.     1860.     8° :  pp.  20. 

Catalogue  for  year  ending  June,  1863.     8° :  pp.  24. 

Do.     For  year  ending  June,  1866.     8° :  pp.  31. 

"  Hamline  University  Magazine  :"  see  "  Magazines."' 

Catalogue  op  the  Officers  and  Students  of  the  Minnesota 
Seminary,  Wasioja,  Dodge  Co.  Wasioja  :  "  Minnesota  Free 
Will  Baptist"  Office.     1861.     8°:  pp.24. 


52  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

First  Annual  Circular  and  Catai<ogue  of  the  Sigourney 
Boarding  School,  St.  Anthony,  Minnesota.  1860-61.  St. 
Anthony:  Thomas  &  Clarke,  Printers.     1861. 

First  Annual  Eegister  of  the  Minnesota  State  Normal 
School,  at  Winona,  for  the  Academical  year  1866-67.  Wi- 
nona, September,  1867  :  Republican  Print.     8°  :  pp.  22. 

University  of  Minnesota.  Catalogue  of  the  Officers  and 
Students  of  the  Preparatory  Department,  with  a  Statement  of 
the  Courses  of  Instruction,  1867-8,  St.  Anthony.  Aug.,  1868. 
Published  by  the  University.  Minneapolis :  Tribune  Print. 
8° :  pp.  20. 

Report  of  the  Committee  on  Organization,  made  to  the 
Board  of  Regents  of  the  University  of  Minnesota,  May  7, 1869. 
Published  by  the  Board.  Minneapolis  :  Tribune  Printing  Co. 
1869.     8°  :  pp.  38. 

Annual  Catalogues  and  Circulars  of  the  Shattuck  Gram- 
mar School,  Faribault,  Minn.  Faribault :  Central  Republican 
Office.     12=^.     1866-1869. 

Catalogue  of  the  Instructors  and  Members  of  the  State 
Teachers'  Institute,  Minnesota.  [From  March  29,  to  May  11, 
1868.]  Republican  Printing  House,  Winona.  1868.  8°  :  pp.  21. 

Do.     1868.     8°:  pp.  34. 

The  First  Annual  Catalogue  of  Northfield  College,  North- 
field,  Minn.,  July,  1868.     H.  A.  Kimball,  Printer.     8°  :  pp.  12. 

Catalogue  of  the  Schools  of  the  Bishop  Seabury  Mission, 
1865-6,  Faribault,  Minn.  Central  Republican  Office.  1866. 
8° :  pp.  28. 

Diocese  of  Minnesota.  Saint  Mary's  Hall  Register,  Fari- 
bault. Faribault:  Central  Republican  Office.  12°.  1867  to 
1869.     v.  d. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY. 


58 


CHURCHES  AND  RELIGIOUS  ASSOCIATIONS. 
Minutes  of  the  Minnesota  Baptist  Association.     1852-1869. 


12°.     V.  d. 


Do.     Minnesota  Central  Baptist  Association.     1858- 


1869.     12°.     V,  d. 


Do.    Anniversaries  of  the  Minnesota  Baptist  State 

Convention.     1859-1869.     8°.    v.  d. 

Do.   ^Northern  Baptist  Association.     1861-1869.    8°. 


V,  d. 


V.  d. 


Do.     Zumbro   Baptist  Association.     1861-1869.     8°. 


Do.     Minnesota  Valley  Baptist  Association.     1859- 


1869.     12°.     V,  d. 


Do.     Southern  Minnesota  Baptist  Association.     1855- 

1869.     8°.     V.  d. 

Do.     Crow  River  Baptist  Association.      1868-1869. 

12°.     V.  d. 

Minutes  of  the  Minnesota  Annual  Conference  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church.     1856-1869.     8°.     v,  d. 

Minutes  of  the  Annual  Sessions  of  the  General  Conference 
of  the  Congregational  Churches  in  Minnesota.  1856-1869. 
8°.     V.  d. 

Journal  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Annual  Conventions  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Diocese  of  Minnesota. 
1856-1869.     8°.    v.  d. 

Record  of  the  Organization  and  First  Session  of  the  Synod 
of  Minnesota,  with  the  Opening  Discourse,  by  the  Rev.  Thos. 
S.  Williamson,  M.  D.  St.  Paul:  Daily  Minnesotian  Print. 
1858.     8°:  pp.  14. 

A  Hand  Book  for  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Minnesota, 
designed  to  promote  order  in,  and  love  for  the  Sanctuary. 
Prepared  by  Edward  D.  Neill.  Philadelphia:  Printed  by 
Henry  B.  Ashmead.     1856.     24°:  pp.  72. 


54  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

Manual  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Red  Wing, 
Minn.,  with  a  Brief  Historical  Sketch.  Red  Wing :  Republican 
Office.     1868.     24° :  pp.  38. 

Parish  Manual  of  the  Church  of  Gethsemane,  Minneapolis, 
Minn. ;  Organized  A.  D.  1856.     Minneapolis  :  1869.     pp.  18. 

A  Memorial  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Minnesota 
Church  Foundation,  with  additions  and  an  appendix.  Contain- 
ing the  Charter  and  By-Laws  of  the  Board,  and  the  Charter  of 
"  Christ  Church  Orphans'  Home  and  Hospital  for  Minnesota." 
By  the  Rev.  J.  V.  Van  Ingen,  D.  D.  St.  Paul :  Pioneer  Print- 
ing Co.     1860.     8° :  pp.  34. 

Mission  Paper  of  the  Bishop  Seabury  Mission.  Numbers  1 
to  37.     8°.     Faribault,     v.  cL 

Eleventh  Anniversary  of  the  Minnesota  Bible  Society,  held 
in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  St.  ^Paul,  June  8,  1862,  TJ 
p.  M.     St.  Paul :  Press  Printing  Co.     1862.     8° :  pp.  7. 

Fourteenth  do. ;  with  its  Constitution,  List  of  Officers,  and 
Local  Agents  of  Auxiliaries.  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  June,  1864. 
David  Ramaley,  Printer.     8°  ;  pp.  32. 

Annual  Report  of  the  State  Central  Committee  to  the 
Minnesota  Sabbath-School  Association,  assembled  in  Conven- 
tion at  Hastings,  June  26,  1866.     8°  :  pp.  14. 

Do.    Rochester,  June  18,  1867.    Pp.  15. 

Proceedings  of  the  Tenth  Annual  Convention  of  the  Minne- 
sota State  Sabbath-School  Association,  held  at  Faribault,  June 
16,  17,  and  18,  1868.  Published  for  the  Association.  1868. 
8° :  pp.  72. 

Proceedings  of  the  Minnesota  Universalist  Sunday-School 
State  Convention,  including  the  articles  of  Incorporation  and 
Constitution  of  the  Convention,  &c.  First  Annual  Session. 
Held  at  Minneapolis,  Sept.  1st  and  2d,  1869.  St.  Paul :  1869. 
8° :  pp.  18. 

First  Annual  Report  and  Constitution  of  the  Brotherhood 
of  the  Parish  of  the  Good  Shepherd,  Faribault,  Minn.  Pub- 
lished by  the  Brotherhood.  Central  Republican  Office.  1870. 
12° :  pp.  16. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  55 

The   Papal   Encyclical.      A  Pastoral  Letter:    see  "Ser- 
mons," &c. 

Historical  Sketch  of  Westminster  Presb.  Church  :    see 
"  Sermons,"  &c. 

Manual  op  First  Baptist  Church,  St.  Paul  :  see  "St.  Paul." 

Gospel  among  the  Dakotas  :  see  "  Indian  Tribes  of  Minne- 
sota." 


SERMONS  AND  RELIGIOUS  ESSAYS. 

The  Political  Character  and  Tendencies  of  Romanism: 
being  the  substance  of  a  Discourse  delivered  in  Galena  in  1852, 
by  Rev.  M.  Sorin,  Red  Wing,  Minn.  Ter.     1854. 

The  True  Thanksgiving  ;  and  True  Manhood  :  Two  Ser- 
mons, by  H.  M.  Nichols,  Pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  Stillwater,  Minn.     Van  Vorhes  &  Easton,  Printers. 

1858.  12°:  pp.40. 

[Rev.  Mr.  Nichols  was  drowned  July,  1860,  at  Lake  Harriet,  near  Minne- 
apolis.] 

MiCHAL ;  OR  Fashionable  Dancing,  an  Undignified  Amuse- 
ment for  a  Christian.  The  sixth  of  a  Series  of  Evening  Lec- 
tures on  the  Life  of  David,  at  the  Chapel  of  the  House  of  Hope, 
St.  Paul,  Minn.,  Feb.  6,  1859,  by  Edward  D.  Neill.     St.  Paul : 

1859.  12°:  pp.  18. 

Children,  and  the  Childhood  of  Jesus.  Sermon  occasion- 
ed by  the  Death  of  Willie  Young :  Preached  in  the  Jackson 
Street  Methodist  Church,  on  Sabbath  afternoon,  Feb.  27, 1859, 
by  Rev.  J.  D.  Pope,  Pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church.  Pub- 
lished by  the  Family  for  Private  Distribution.  St.  Paul :  Min- 
nesotian  Office.     1859.     8^  :  pp.  12. 

Congregationalism.  A  Sunday  Morning  Discourse,  in  the 
Plymouth  Church  of  St.  Paul,  March  20,  1859.  By  Burdett 
Hart.     St.  Paul ;  T.  M.  Newson,  Printer.  .  1859  :  8°  ;  pp.  18. 

Blood,  the  Price  of  Redemption.     A  Thanksgiving  Dis- 


56  MINNESOTA   HISrORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

course,  delivered  in  the  House  of  Hope,  Nov.  27, 1862,  by  Rev. 
Frederic  A.  Noble,  Pastor.  St.  Paul:  Press  Printing  Co. 
1862.     8°:  pp.  21. 

The  Fall  of  Sumpter  :  Its  Intent  and  Portent.  An  Ad- 
dress given  at  Plymouth  Church,  St.  Paul,  Sunday  evening, 
April  12, 1863,  the  Anniversary  of  the  Attack  on  Fort  Sumpter. 
By  Rev.  S.  Hawley.  St.  Paul:  Press  Printing  Co.  1863. 
8° :  pp.  18. 

The  Final  Salvation  of  all  Mankind,  clearly  demonstrated 
by  the  united  Voice  of  Reason  and  Revelation.  By  Rev.  Dol- 
phus  Skinner,  D.  D.  Fourth  Edition.  Minneapolis :  Atlas 
Pr.  Co.     1864.     8°:  pp.  31. 

The  Assured  and  Glorious  Future  of  the  Nation.  A 
Thanksgiving  Discourse,  delivered  in  the  House  of  Hope,  Nov. 
24,  1864,  by  Rev.  Frederic  A.  Noble.  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 
"  Ye  shall  be  as  the  Wings  of  a  Dove  Covered  with  Silver." 
St.  Paul :  David  Ramaley,  PHnter.     1864.     8°  :  pp.  28. 

A  Sermon  Preached  at  the  Dedication  of  the  First  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  Mankato,  Minn.,  Sept.  7,  1865,  by  the  Pastor, 
Rev.  Thomas  Marshall.  New  York :  Anson  D.  F.  Randolph. 
1866.     8°  :  pp.  23. 

The  Papal  Encyclical,  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Grace,  Bishop 
of  St.  Paul.  Being  a  Pastoral  Letter  to  the  Clergy  and  Laity 
of  the  Diocese,  on  occasion  of  the  Publication  of  the  Jubilee. 
St.  Paul :  Pioneer  Printing  Company.     1865.     8°  :  pp.  29. 

Methodism:  Its  Development  and  the  Chief  Causes  of  its 
success.  A  Centenary  Sermon,  preached  Sept.  21, 1866,  before 
the  Minnesota  Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  By  Rev.  Jabez  Brooks,  A.  M.,  President  of  Hamline 
University.  Published  by  request  of  the  Conference.  St. 
Paul :  Press  Printing  Co.     1866.     8°  :  pp.  24. 

Christian  Amusements.  A  Discourse  delivered  Feb.  11, 
1866,  at  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  of  Saint  Paul,  by  Rev.  Edwin  Sidney  Williams. 
St.  Paul :  Davidson  &  Hall,  Pioneer  Office.    1866.    8°  :  pp.  31 . 

Address  to  the  Tenth  Annual  Convention  of  the  Diocese 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  57 

of  Minnesota,  by  Rt.  Rev.  Henry  Benj.  Whipple,  D.D.,  Bishop 
of  the  Diocese.  June  12,  A.  D.  1867.  St.  Paul:  Ramaley  & 
Hall.     1867.     8^:  pp.  20. 

Christ,  not  Self,  the  Burden  or  Christian  Preaching  and 
Living.  A  Sermon  preached  in  St.  John's  Church,  St.  Cloud, 
Minn.,  Sept.  8,  1867,  by  Rev.  George  L.  Chase,  on  resigning 
the  Rectorship  of  the  Parish.  Published  by  request.  St. 
Cloud,  Minn. :  Printed  by  A.  J.  Reed.     1867.     8°  :  pp.  14. 

A  Review  of  a  Sermon  on  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul, 
preached  by  W.  B.  Dada,  before  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  in  Lake  City,  April  18,  1869,  by  A.  G.  Hudson. 
Lake  City  :  Leader  Office.     1869.     8° :  pp.  18. 

Universalism  Unmasked.  A  Sermon  delivered  by  Rev.  J. 
B.  Tuttle,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  of  Anoka,  Minnesota, 
on  the  evening^f  Feb.  14,  1869.     Press  Print.     8°  :  pp.  14. 

Historical  Sketch  of  the  Westminster  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  [a  Sermon,]  by  Rev.  Robert  F.  Sample, 
Pastor.  Philadelphia  :  Printed  by  Alfred  Martin.  1869.  8°  : 
pp.  40. 

Natural  Religion.  By  Rev.  Herman  Bisbee.  A  Sermon 
delivered  at  Pence  Opera  House,  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  March 
27,  1870.     8°  :  pp.  8.     [No  imprint.] 

Harmony  of  Gospel  History.     See  "  Poetical  and  Literary." 

Serving  our  Generation.  A  Sermon,  &c.  See  ''  Biograph- 
ical." 

* 

Anniversary  Sermon  of  First  Baptist  Church,  St.  Paul.     See 
"  Saint  Paul." 
Hand  Book  of  PRESBriERiAN  Church.     See  "Churches,"  &c. 

Mission  Papers  of  Bp.  Seabury  Mission.  See  "  Churches," 
&c. 

Synod  of  Minnesota.  Discourse  by  Rev.  T.  S.  Williamson. 
See  "Churches,"  &c. 


58  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

OKATIONS  AND  ADDKESSES. 
Address  delivered  by  Ex-Governor  Alexander  Ramsey,  Pres 
ident  of  the  Minnesota  Territorial  Agricultural  Society,  on  the 
occasion  of  the  Second  Annual  Territorial  Fair,  held  at  Minne- 
apolis, on  the  8th,  9th  and  10th  of  October,  1856.     St.  Paul : 
Minnesotian  Office.     1857.     8°  :  pp.  22. 

Education  in  its  Relations  to  Civilization.  An  Address 
delivered  before  the  Convention  of  Superintendents  at  Winona, 
Minn.,  on  June  28,  1865.  By  Wm.  F.  Phelps,  A.  M.,  Princi- 
pal of  the  State  Normal  School.  1865.  Republican  Print, 
Winona.     8°  :  pp.  34. 

The  Problem  op  American  Destiny.  An  Oration.  Deliver- 
ed at  a  Celebration  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  of  the 
State  of  Minnesota,  at  Owatonna,  July  4th,  1868.  By  Capt. 
Henry  A.  Castle,  of  St.  Paul.  Published  by  order  of  the  G. 
A.  R.,  Dept.  of  Minn.  St.  Paul :  Office  of  the  Press  Printing 
Company.     1868.     8°:  pp.  12. 

Oration  delivered  at  Alexandria,  Douglas  Co.,  Minn.,  July 
4,  1868,  by  Hon.  H.  L.  Gordon,  of  St.  Cloud.  Ramaley  & 
Hall.     Dispatch  Office.     8°:  pp.16. 

Addresses  at  the  Inauguration  of  Wm.  W.  Folwell,  as  Pres- 
ident of  the  University  of  Minnesota,  Wednesday,  December 
22,  1869.  For  the  University.  Minneapolis  :  Tribune  Print- 
ing Company.     1870.     8° :  pp.  40. 

Emigrant  Route  to  California,  by  Col.  Wm.  H.  Nobles. 
See  "  Relations  of  Minnesota  to  the  Northwest." 

Speech  op  Hon.  James  Shields  on  the  Pacific  R.  R.  bill. 
See  "  Railroads." 

The  Northern  Pacific  Railway.  Speech  of  Hon.  Wm. 
Windom.     See  "  Railroads." 

Early  History  op  Hennepin  County,  by  John  H.  Stevens. 
See  "  Town  and  County  History." 

Addresses  at  Dedication  of  Baldwin  School.     See  '*  St.  Paul." 

Masonic  Installation  and  Dedication  Addresses.  See 
*'  Masonic." 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  59 

Addresses  Before  the  Historical  Society.  By  E.  D.  Neill, 
Gen.  J.  H.  Simpson.  Hon.  Alex.  Ramsey,  Rev.  S.  R.  Riggs, 
Gen.  H.  H.  Sibley,  Hon.  J.  W.  Lynd,  Rev.  J.  Mattocks,  and 
others.     See  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.,  Vols.  I  and  II. 


POETICAL  AND  LITERARY. 

The  Sonnets  of  Shakspeare  :  An  Essay,  by  Ignatius  Don- 
nelly, A.  M.  Printed  for  private  distribution.  Saint  Paul: 
Geo.  W.  Moore,  Minnesotian  Office.     8^:  pp.  16.     [1858.] 

The  Poets  and  Poetry  of  Minnesota.  Edited  by  Mrs.  W. 
J.  Arnold.  Chicago:  S.  P.  Rounds,  Printer.  1864.  12°: 
pp.  336.     [Portrait.'} 

The  Dalys  of  Dalystown.  By  Dillon  O'Brien.  St.  Paul : 
Pioneer  Printing  Company.     1866.     8°  :  pp.  518. 

Manomin  :  A  Rhythmical  Romance  of  Minnesota,  the  Great 
Rebellion  and  the  Minnesota  Massacres.  By  Myron  Coloney. 
St.  Louis :  Published  by  the  Author.    1866.    12°  :  pp.  xv,  297. 

Harmony  of  the  Gospel  History,  from  Passion  Week  to 
Pentecost.  By  the  Rev.  Edward  P.  Gray.  New  York  :  H.  B. 
Durand,  49  White  Street.     1866.     8°:  pp.  12. 

Gedichte   Vermischten  Inhalts,   von  Albert  Wolff.     St. 
Paul,  Minn.     1867.     24°  :  pp.  80. 
[Poems  written  in  the  German  language.] 

OssEO,  THE  Spectre  Chieftain.^  A  Poem.  By  Evender  C. 
Kennedy.  Leavenworth:  Published  by  the  Author.  1867. 
12° :  pp.  228. 

1  [The  scene  of  this  Epicls  laid  on  Lake  Pepin.  The  author  says  in  his 
preface:  "I  offer  this,  my  first  endeavor  as  an  author,  to  the  public,  hoping 
it  may  be  received  with  favor ;  and  will  be  content  if  I  receive  from  my 
friends  a  kind  thought  In  return  for  the  many  weary  days  and  dreary  nights 
I  have  spent  trying  to  consummate  this,  my  bloodless  ambition.  If  I  can  be 
permitted  to  occupy  the  most  secluded  niche  in  the  Temple  of  Calliope,  and 
add  but  a  single  jewel  to  the  casket  of  American  Poetry,  I  will  have  gained 
the  highest  wish  of  my  most  ideal  dreams.  I  entreat  the  favor  of  my  many 
friends  and  fellow  soldiers.  I  have  a  hope ;  must  it  be  a  hope  of  despair  ?  I 
wait  the  revelations  of  the  mysterious  future."] 


60  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

New  American  Epic  Poem  on  the  Discovery  of  America  by 
Christopher  Columbus.  By  M.  D.  C.  Luby.  Saint  Paul,  Minn. : 
Daily  Minnesota  Volksblatt  Print.     1868.     16°:  pp.  253. 

"  Equal  Rights."  A  Poetical  Lecture.  By  Mrs.  F.  A. 
Logan,  of  New  York.  Price  20  cents.  [St.  Paul :  Press  Print. 
1869.]     12°:  pp.  22. 

Minnesota  ;  Then  and  Now.  By  Mrs.  Harriet  E.  Bishop. 
Saint  Paul :  D.  D.  Merrill,  Randall  &  Co.  1869.  [Inverse.^ 
12°:  pp.  100. 

The  Romance  of  Indian  Life.  See  "  The  Indian  Tribes  of 
Minnesota." 

A  Summer  in  the  Wilderness,  &c.     See  "  Early  Explora- 
tions," &c. 
The  Hamlink  University  Magazine.     See  ''  Magazines." 


MAGAZINES. 

The  Minnesota  Farmer  and  Gardener.  Edited  by  L.  M. 
Ford  and  J.  H.  Stevens.  St.  Paul:  Vol.  L  Nov.  1860  to 
Dec.  1861.     8°:  pp.384. 

The  Hamline  University  Magazine.  "  Religio,  Liiera,  Li- 
bertas."  Vol.  1,  Nos.  1,  2,  3.  8°:  pp.  24,  32,  32.  Printed 
for  the  University  by  D.  Ramaley.     1864-65. 

The  Minnesota  Teacher  and  Journal  of  Education  :  *  Or- 
gan of  the  Department  of  Public  Instruction  and  State  Teach- 
ers' Association.  W.  W.  Payne,  Editor  and  publisher,  St. 
Paul.  8°.  Vol.  I,  June,  1867,  to  Aug.,  1868,  556  pages  ;  Vol. 
II,  Sept.,  1868,  to  Sept.,  1869,  448  pages. 

The  Minnesota  Monthly:  A  North  Western  Magazine. 
The  Official  Organ  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry.  Devoted  to 
Agriculture,  Horticulture,  Domestic  Economy,  etc.  Edited  by 
D.  A.  Robertson.     Vol.  I,  Jan.  to  Dec,  1869.     Pp.  444. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  61 

SAINT  PAUL. 

Ordinances  of  the  Town  of  Saint  Paul,  Minnesota.  In 
force  Jan.  25,  1852.  Collated  and  Printed  by  Order  of  the 
President  and  Council  of  said  Town.  Saint  Paul :  D.  A.  Rob- 
ertson, Printer.     1852.     8°  :  pp.  24. 

Addresses  delivered  at  the  Dedication  of  the  Edifice  of  the 
Preparatory  Department  of  the  Baldwin  School,  Saint  Paul, 
Minnesota  Territory  ;  and  Catalogue  for  1853.  Saint  Paul : 
Owens  &  Moore,  Printers.     1854.     8°  :  pp.  39. 

Charter  and  Ordinances  of  the  City  of  St.  Paul.  Minne- 
sotian  Office.     1855.     8°:  pp.111. 

Do.    1858.     Minnesotian  Office.     8°:  pp.250. 

Do.    1863.     Pioneer  Office.     8°:  pp.226. 

Do.    1869.     Pioneer  Office.     8° :  pp.  352. 


Proceedings  of  the  Common  Council  of  the  City  of  St.  Paul 
for  the  years  ending  1856  to  1870.     8°.     v.  d. 

Do.     General  Index  to.     From  1854  to  Jan.  19,  1858. 

Prepared  by  I.  V.  D.  Heard,  under  Resolution  of  the  Common 
Council,  &c.  Saint  Paul :  Pioneer  Printing  Co.  1866.  8° : 
pp.  349. 

Annual  Report  of  the  Public  School  System  of  the  City  of 
St.  Paul ;  with  Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, &c.,  &c.     Saint  Paul:  1856  to  1870.     12°.     v.  d. 

Suggestions  relative  to  the  Sewerage  and  Street  Grades  of 
Saint  Paul.  ^By  James  Starkey.']  Saint  Paul :  Goodrich, 
Somers  &  Co.,  Printers  and  Publishers,  Pioneer  and  Democrat 
Office.     1857.     12°  :  pp.  24. 

Finances  of  Ramsey  County.  Report  of  a  Committee  of 
Investigation.  500  copies  ordered  printed  by  the  Board  of 
Supervisors.     1858. 

Grand  Celebration  in  the  City  of  Saint  Paul,  the  Capital  of 
the  State  of  Minnesota,  on  the  first  of  September,  1858,  com- 
memorative of  the  successful  laying  and  working  of  the  Atlan- 
tic Telegraph  Cable.     Full  Report  of  the  Ceremonies,  Proces- 


62  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

sions,  Illumination  and  the  Speeches  of  Ex-Governors  Ramsey 
and  Gorman.  Published  hy  order  of  the  City  Council,  as  re- 
ported for  the  Daily  Minnesotian,  the  official  paper  of  the  City, 
[by  J.  F.    Williams.'\      St.   Paul:    Daily  Minnesotian  Print. 

1858.  8°:  pp.  22. 

Manual  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Saint  Paul,  Minne- 
sota, 1857-8  ;  with  the  Annual  Sermon  of  the  Pastor  \_Rev. 
Jno.  D.  Pope.']  Published  by  the  Members.  Saint  Paul: 
Printed  by  Geo.  W.  Moore,  Minnesotian  Office.  1859.  8°: 
pp.  16. 

First  Annual  Report  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Saint  Paul 
Gas  Light  Company,  to  the  Stockholders  of  the  Company,  to- 
gether with  the  Act  of  Incorporation  and  By-Laws.  St.  Paul : 
Pioneer  Printing  Company.     1859.     8°  :  pp.  31. 

Constitution  and  By-Laws,  and  Reading  Room  Regulations 
of  the  Saint  Paul  Mercantile  Librarj-  Association.  Adopted 
September,   1857.      Revised  Jan.,   1859.     Incorporated  Jan., 

1859.  Saint  Paul :  Printed  by  Geo.  W.  Moore,  Minnesotian 
Office.     1859.     8°:  pp.  15. 

Catalogue  of  the  Sunday-School  Library  of  the  Central 
Presbyterian  Church,  Saint  Paul.  St.  Paul :  Pioneer  Printing 
Co.     1858.     12°:  pp.  20. 

Catalogue  of  the  St.  Paul  Library  Association.  1864.  St. 
Paul :  Printed  by  D.  Ramaley.     8°  :  pp.  79. 

Do.    1868.     Ramaley  &  Hall.     8°  :  pp.  99. 

Saint  Paul  Street  Railway  Company.  Charter  and  Cit}^ 
Ordinance.  Saint  Paul:  Daily  Minnesota  Volksblatt  Print. 
1868.     8°  :  pp.  9. 

The  Early  History  of  Saint  Paul.  Being  a  short  sketch 
prepared  for  Bailey's  Saint  Paul  Directory.  Edition  of  1867. 
[Separately  printed.']  By  J.  Fletcher  Williams,  Secretary  of 
the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  St.  Paul,  Minn.  1867.  8°  : 
pp.  12.     [2  cuts.] 

Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  City  of  Saint  Paul.  Arti- 
cles of  Incorporation,  By-Laws,  Officers,  Committees  and  Mem- 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  63 

bers.     Organized  Jan.  10,  1867.     St.  Paul,  Minnesota :    Press 
Printing  Company.     1867.     8°  :  pp.  18. 

Do.     First  Annual  Report,   [By  J.  D.  Ludden,}  for 


1867.     J^t.  Paul :  Press  Printing  Company.    1868.    8°:  pp.35. 

Do.     Second  Annual  Report,  [By  J.  D.  Ludden,']  made 

Jan.  25,  1869.  Also,  Articles  of  Incorporation,  By-Laws,  Offi- 
cers, and  List  of  Members.  Saint  Paul :  Press  Printing  Co. 
1869.     8°:  pp.32. 

Do.     Third  Annual  Report.      By  Ossian  E.  Dodge, 

Secretary.     St.  Paul :  Press  Printing  Co.     1870.     8°:  pp.51. 

Business  Directory  for  the  City  of  Saint  Paul,  Minnesota 
Territory.  Aug.  1,  1856.  Saint  Paul:  Goodrich  &  Somers, 
Printers,  Pioneer  and  Democrat  Office.     1856.     8°  :  pp.  76. 

Saint  Paul  City  Directory,  for  1856-7.  Published  by 
Goodrich  &  Somers  ;  January,  1857.  Saint  Paul :  Pioneer  and 
Democrat  Office.  1857.  12°  :  pp.  194.  [Map  of  City,  This 
book  was  compiled  by  Andrew  Keiller.'] 

Commercial  Advertiser  Directory  for  the  City  of  St.  Paul, 
to  which  is  added,  a  Business  Directory,  1858-1859.  Newson 
&  Barton,  Publishers.  Saint  Paul :  Times  Office.  1858.  8° : 
pp.  165. 

A.  Bailey's  Saint  Paul  Directory,  for  1863.  Volume  One. 
Saint  Paul :  A.  Bailey,  Publisher.     1863.     8°  :  pp.  170. 

Saint  Paul  Directory  for  1864.  Including  a  complete 
Directory  of  the  Citizens,  a  Business  Directory,  etc.  Volume 
Two.  Saint  Paul:  Grolf  &  Bailey,  Publishers.  1864.  8°: 
pp.  170. 

McClung's  Saint  Paul  Directory,  and  Statistical  Record, 
for  1866.  Containing  an  Alphabetical  List  of  Citizens  in  each 
Ward  separately,  etc.  St.  Paul :  J.  W.  McClung,  Publisher. 
1866.     8°  :  pp.  284. 

Saint  Paul  Directory  for  1867.     *     *     *     Vol.  3.     Saint 
Paul :  Bailey  &  Wolfe,  Publishers.     1867.     8°  :  pp.  287. 
Ketchum  and  Crawford's  St.  Paul  Directory,  for  1869. 


64  MINNESOTA   HISfORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

*  *  *  Also,  a  complete  Classified  Business  Directory,  &c. 
St.  Paul :  Printed  by  the  Press  Printing  Co.  [1869.]  8°  :  pp. 
271.     [Map.] 

Rice  &  Bell's  First  Annual  Directory  to  the  Inhabitants, 
Institutions,  &c.,  &c.,  in  the  City  of  Saint  Paul,  for  1869-70. 
Rice  &  Bell,  Publishers,  St.  Paul.  [1869.]  8°:  pp.  300. 
[Map.] 

Hand  Book  of  Presbyterian  Church.     See  "  Churches,"  &c. 

Christ's  Church  Orphan's  Home.     See  "  Churches,"  &c. 

Installation  Address  to  St.  Paul  Lodge,  No.  3.  See 
"  Masonic." 

Baldwin  School,  and  Female  Seminary  Catalogues.  See 
"  Catalogues." 

Carver  Centenary.     See  Histor.  Soc.  Coll. 

Memorial  of  Chamber  of  Commerce,  &c.  See  "  Relations 
of  Minnesota  to  the  North  West." 

Rise  and  Progress  of  Minnesota  Territory.  See  "  Histo- 
rical, Descriptive,"  &c. 

Dakota  Land  ;  or  the  Beauty  of  St.  Paul.  See  ''  Historical, 
Descriptive,"  &c. 


STATE  DOCUMENTS. 

Journal  of  the  Council  of  the  Legislative  Assembly  of  the 
Territory  of  Minnesota.     1849-1857.     8^.     v.  d. 

Journal  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Legisla- 
tive Assembly  of  the  Territory  of  Minnesota.  1849-1857. 
8°.    V.  d. 

Acts,  Joint  Resolutions  and  Memorials  passed  by  the  Leg- 
islative Assembly  of  the  Territory  of  Minnesota.  1849-18  57. 
8°.     V.  d. 

Debates  and  Proceedings  of  the  Constitutional  Convention 
for  the  Territory  of  Minnesota,  to  form  a  State  Constitution, 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  65 

etc.  T.  F.  Andrews,  Official  Reporter  t»  the  Convention. 
St.  Paul :  G.  W.  Moore,  Printer.  1858.  8^ :  pp.  624.  IMe- 
publican  Wing.^ 

The  Debates  and  Proceedings  of  the  Minnesota  Constitu- 
tional Convention,  including  the  Organic  Act  of  the  Territory, 
etc.  Reported  Officially  by  Francis  H.  Smith.  Saint  Paul : 
E.  S.  Goodrich,  Territorial  Printer.  1857.  8°:  pp.  685. 
^Democratic  Wing.'] 

Journal  of  the  Constitutional  Coj^vention  of  the  Territory 
of  Minnesota,  [^Democratic  Wing,']  begun  and  held  in  the  City 
of  St.  Paul,  Capital  of  said  Territory,  on  Monday,  the  13th  of 
July,  1857.  St.  Paul :  Earle  S.  Goodrich,  State  Printer.  1857. 
8° :  pp.  208. 

Journal  of  the  Senate  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of 
Minnesota.     1858-1870.     8°.     v,  d. 

Journal  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  State  of 
Minnesota.     1858-1870.     8°.     v.  d. 

General  and  Special  Laws  of  the  State  of  Minnesota.  1858- 
1870.     8°.     V.  d. 

Executive  Documents  of  the  State  of  Minnesota.  1860- 
1870.     8°.     V.  d. 

The  Legislative  Manual,  compiled  for  the  use  of  the  Mem- 
bers of  the  Legislature.     Published  by  authority.     1860-1870. 

V.  d. 

Annual  Report  of  the  Adjutant  General  of  the  State  of 
Minnesota,  for  the  year  ending  Dec.  1,  1866,  and  of  the  Mili- 
tary forces  of  the  State  from  1861  to  1866.  Saint  Paul :  Pio- 
neer Printing  Company.     1866.     8°:  pp.805. 

A  Complete  Compilation  of  the  Laws  of  Minnesota,  relat- 
ing to  Township  Organization,  and  the  duties  of  Town  Officers, 
etc.     By  Elijah  M.  Haines.     Chicago :  1869.     8°  :  pp.  272. 

Reports  of  Cases  Argued  and  Determined  in  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Minnesota.    13  vols.    8°.    St.  Paul.    1858-1870.  v.  d. 

—  Harvey  Officer,  Reporter.     Vols.  I-IX. 

—  Wm.  A.  Spencer,  Reporter.     Vols.  X-XIII. 

9 


66  minnesota  historical  collections. 

The  Revised  Statutes  of  the  Territory  of  Minnesota, 
passed  at  the  2d  session  of  the  Legislative  Assembly,  com- 
mencing Jan.  1,  1851.  Under  the  Supervision  of  M.  S.  Wilk- 
inson. Saint  Paul :  James  M.  Goodhue,  Territorial  Printer. 
Rl.  8° :  pp.  734. 

Do.     Edition  of  1859.     Rl.  8°:    pp.  1071.     Pioneer 

Printing  Co.,  St.  Paul.     1859. 

Do.     Revision  of  1866.     Rl.  8° :  pp.  874.     Davidson 

&Hall.     1867. 


MAGAZINE  ARTICLES. 
Harpers'  New  Monthly  Magazine.    Vols.  1  to  38.    New 
York. 

PAPERS   ON  MINNESOTA. 

VoL  VII,  p.  177.    Sketches  of  the  Upper  Mississippi.    Anon. 
"    XIII,  p.  665.    A  Visit  to  Red  River.    Anon. 
•'    XVI,  p.  443.    The  Upper  Mississippi.    Anon. 
"    XVIII,  p.  169.    The  People  of  the  Red  River.    Anon. 
"        do.     p.  602.    The  Red  River  Trail.    Anon. 
••    XIX,  p.  37.    The  Red  River  Trail.    Anon. 
"    XXI,  p.  289.    To  Red  River  and  Beyond.    By  Manton  Marble. 

do.  p.  581.        "  " 

"    XXII,  p.  306.       "  "  "  "  " 

"    XXVI,  p.  186.    Hole-in-the-Day.    By  I.  G.  Nicolay. 
"    XXVII,  p.  1.   The  Indian  Massacres  and  War  of  1862.  Adrian  J .  Ebell. 
"    XXVIII,  p.  76.    Overland  from  St.  Paul  to  Lake  Superior.    Anon. 
"       do.       p.  190.    The  Wheat  Fields  of  Minnesota.    By  G.  W.  Schatzel. 
••    XXXVI,  p.  409.    The  Minnesota  Pineries.    By  J.  M.  Tuttle. 


COLLECTIONS  OF  THE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 

VOLUME  I. 

1.  Annals  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society.     Saint 
Paul:    Printed  by  James  M.  Goodhue.     1850.     8°:    pp.32. 

Fap»r8.  Preface ;  Act  of  Incorporation  ;  Constitution  and  By-Laws,  adopt- 
ed Jan.  14,  1850;  List  of  Members;  Annual  Address  by  Rev.  E.  D.  Neill,  Jan. 
1,  1850,  Subject— "An  Introductory  Lecture  upon  the  Subject  of  the  French 
Voyageurs  to  this  Territory  during  the  Seventeenth  Century."  Description 
of  Minnesota,  by  H.  H.  Sibley ;  Table  of  Distances  in  the  Territory. 

2.  Annals  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  for  the 
year  A.  D.  1850-1  ;  comprising  an  address  by  the  President, 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  67 

the  Annual  Report  by  the  Secretary,  two  papers  by  Rev.  S.  R. 
Riggs,  &c.,  &c.  St.  Paul :  D.  A.  Robertson,  Printer.  1851. 
8<^ :  pp.  184. 

Papers.  Proceedings  of  the  Annual  Meeting,  Jan.  13, 1851;  Address  of  Gov. 
A.  Ramsey,  President  of  the  Society ;  First  Annual  Report  of  C.  K.  Smith, 
Secretary  of  the  Society,  with  appendices ;  Speech  of  Henry  H.  Sibley,  of 
Minnesota,  before  the  Com.  on  Elections  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
Dec.  22, 1848;  List  of  the  Executive  and  Judicial  Officers  of  the  Territory,  and 
Members  of,  the  First  Leglature ;  Titles  of  Acts  passed  at  the  First  Session  of 
the  Legislature ;  List  of  Officers  appointed  by  the  Governor  of  said  Territory; 
Do.  of  the  different  counties ;  Time  of  holding  the  Courts  of  Minnesota  Ter. ; 
Indian  Tribes  of  Minnesota;  Description  of  Saint  Paul,  and  other  points  in 
the  Territory ;  First  Navigation  of  the  Minnesota  by  Steamboats,  [June,1850;] 
Fort  Snelling ;  List  of  Post  Offices  and  Post  Masters  in  Minnesota ;  Landing 
Points  for  Steamboats  from  Galena  to  St.  Paul.;  The  Census ;  Schools  and  Edu- 
cation in  Minnesota ;  The  Fruits  and  Roots  of  the  Minnesota  Valley ;  Laying 
of  the  Corner  Stone  of  the  Episcopal  Church ;  University  of  Minnesota  at  the 
Falls  of  St.  Anthony ;  Religious  Movements  in  Minnesota ;  Table  of  Steam- 
boat Arrivals,  etc.,  at  Fort  Snelling  for  the  past  six  years;  The  Dakota  Na- 
tion—Address of  Rev.  S.  R.  Riggs ;  Prospectus  for  Publishing  a  Dakota  Lexi- 
con ;  A  Memoir  on  the  History  and  Physical  Geography  of  Minnesota,  by  H. 
R.  Schoolcraft ;  the  Meteorology  of  Minnesota,  by  J.  W.  Bond ;  Letter  of  Prof. 
Mather,  of  Ohio;  Index. 

3.  Annals  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  1852 ; 
containing  the  Annual  Address  by  J.  H.  Simpson,  First  Lieut., 
Corps,  U.  S.  Topographical  Engineers,  and  other  papers.  Pub- 
lished by  order  of  the  Executive  Council.  St.  Paul :  Owens 
&  Moore,  Printers,  Minnesotian  Office.     8°  :  pp.  64. 

Papers.  Secretary's  Annual  Report ;  Annual  Address  by  Lieut.  Simpson— 
"  Narrative  of  a  Tour  through  the  Navajo  Country ;"  Letter  of  Mesnard,  writ- 
ten on  the  eve  of  his  Embarkation  for  Lake  Superior;  Ancient  Monuments ; 
Iowa  Indians  and  Mounds;  Letter  from  Mr.  J.  F.  Alton  on  the  Stone  Heaps 
at  Red  Wing ;  The  Early  Nomenclature  of  Minnesota ;  Minnesota,  its  Name 
and  Origin ;  Saint  Louis  River,  by  Rev.  T.  M.  Fullerton  ;  Sketch  of  the  Early 
Indian  Trade  and  Traders  of  Minnesota,  by  E.  D.  Neill;  Exploring  Tour,  by 
Rev.  W.  T.  Boutwell;  Battle  of  Lake  Pokegama,  by  "an  eye  witness;" 
Wa-kan-Tibi ;  Grant  of  Land  at  the  Cave  in  Dayton's  Bluff. 

4.  Annals  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  for  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  fifty-three :  Number  IV.  Printed  by  order 
of  the  Executive  Council.  Saint  Paul:  Owens  &  Moore, 
Printers.     1853.     8° :  pp.  72. 

Papers.  Officers  of  the  Society  for  1853 ;  Annual  Report  of  Secretary ;  Sketch 
of  the  Life  of  Nicollet,  by  Hon.  Henry  H.  Sibley ;  Sketch  of  Joseph  Renville ; 
Department  of  Hudson  Bay,  by  Kev.  G.  A.  Belcourt;  Mounds  of  the  Minne- 
sota Valley,  by  Rev.S.  R.  Riggs ;  Obituary  Notice  of  James  M.  Goodhue,  late 
Editor  of  the  Pioneer ;  Notes  Supplementary  to  the  Early  Indian  Trade,  &c., 
(Annals  of  1852;)  Description  of  Mille  Lacs,  by  J.  G.  Norwood,  M.  D.;  Dakota 
Land  and  Dakota  Life,  by  Edward  D.  Neill;  The  Meteorology  of  Minnesota, 
by  John  W.  Bond. 


68  minnesota  historical  collections. 

5.  Materials  for  the  Future  History  of  Minnesota  ; 
being  a  Report  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society  to  the  Leg- 
islative Assembly,  in  accordance  with  a  Joint  Resolution. 
Fifteen  hundred  copies  ordered  to  be  printed  for  the  use  of  the 
Legislature.  St.  Paul :  Joseph  R.  Brown,  Territorial  Printer. 
Pioneer  and  Democrat  Office.  1856.  8° :  pp.  142.  [7  illus- 
trations.] 

Contents.  Introductory  Chapter,  on  Nomenclature;  Who  were  the  first 
Men?  by  Rev,  T.  S.  Williamson;  An  Historical  Review  [Reprint  of  the  Ad- 
dress of  Gov.  Ramsey  in  1851 ;]  Early  Notices  of  the  Dakotas,  by  Edward  D. 
Neill;  Louis  Hennepin,  the  Franciscan  ;  Sieur  DuLuth;  Le  Sueur,  the  Ex- 
plorer of  the  Minnesota  River ;  Abstract  of  the  Memorial  of  D'Iberville,  on 
the  Country  of  the  Mississippi ;  Minnesota  as  a  British  Dominion— Explora- 
tions of  Jonathan  Carver ;  British  Trade  in  Minnesota;  Pike's  Explorations 
in  1805;  American  Trade;  Noted  Early  Indian  Traders ;  Fort Snelling ;  Border 
Life  in  Minnesota,  by  Wm.  J.  Snelling ;  Index . 

6.  Address  delivered  before  the  Minnesota  Historical  So- 
ciety, at  its  Sixth  Anniversary,  Feb.  1st,  1856,  by  the  Hon. 
H.  H.  Sibley.     8°:  pp.  17. 

[Total  number  of  pages  in  Vol.  I,  511.] 

VOLUME  n. 

1.  Voyage  in  a  Six-Oared  Skiff  to  the  Falls  of  Saint  An- 
thony in  1817.  By  Major  Stephen  H.  Long,  Topographical 
Engineer,  United  States  Army.  With  introductory  note  by 
Edward  D.  Neill,  Secretary  Minnesota  Historical  Society. 
Philadelphia:  Henry  B.  Ashmead,  Book  and  Job  Printer. 
1860.     8°  :  pp.  88. 

Contents.  Officers  of  the  Society ;  Introductory  Note ;  Journal ;  Appendix ; 
Map;  Letter  from  A.  J.  Hill;  Table  of  Distances,  &c. 

2.  Collections  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  for 
the  year  1864.  Saint  Paul :  David  Ramaley,  Printer.  1865. 
8° :  pp.  84. 

Contents.  Officers  of  the  Society;  Introductory;  Early  French  Forts  and 
Foot  Prints  of  the  Valley  of  the  Upper  Mississippi,  by  E.  D.  Neill;  Occur- 
rences in  and  around  Fort  Snelling,  from  1819  to  1840,  by  E.  D.  Neill;  History 
of  the  Dakotas— James  W.  Lynd's  Manuscripts,  by  Rev.  S.  R.  Riggs;  the  Re- 
ligion of  the  Dakotas— (Chapter  VI,  of  Mr.  Lynd's  Manuscript). 

3.  Collections  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  for 
the  year  1867.     Saint  Paul :  Pioneer  Printing  Company.    1867. 

8°:  pp.  62. 

Contents.  Officers  of  the  Society ;  List  of  Papers ;  Report  of  the  Committee 
of  Publication;  Annual  Report  of  the  Secretary,  Chas.  E.  Mayo;  Mineral  Re- 
gions of  Lake  Superior,  as  known  from  their  first  discovery  to  I860,  by  H.  M. 
Rice;  Constantine  Beltrami,  by  A.  J.  Hill ;  Historical  Notes  of  the  U.  S.  Land 


BiBLIOGRAPHt.  69 

Office,  by  H.  M.  Rice,  St.  Paul ;  The  Geography  of  Perrot,  so  far  as  it  relates  to 
Minnesota  and  the  regions  immediately  adjacent,  by  A.  J.  Hill;  Dakota  Su- 
perstitions, by  Rev.  G.  H.  Pond. 

4.  The  Carver  Centenary  :  An  Account  of  the  Celebration, 
by  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  of  the  One  Hundredth 
Anniversary  of  the  Council  and  Treaty  of  Capt.  Jonathan 
Carver  with  the  Naudowessies,  on  May  1,  1767,  at  the  "  Great 
Cave"  (now  within  the  limits  of  the  City  of  Saint  Paul,  Minne- 
sota,) held  May  1,  1867.  Saint  Paul:  Pioneer  Printing  Com- 
pany.    1867.     8°:  pp.  23.     With  portrait  of  Carver. 

Oontenti.  Preface;  The  Visit  to  the  Cave;  Description  of  the  Cave;  The 
Proceedings  at  the  Cave;  The  Reunion  in  the  Evening;  Paper,  by  Rev.  Jno. 
Mattocks,  on  the  "  Life  and  Explorations  of  Jonathan  Carver." 

5.  Charter,  Constitution^  and  By-Laws  of  the  Minnesota 
Historical  Society.  "  Lux  e  Tenebris."  Saint  Paul :  Ramaley 
&  Hall,  Printers.     1868.     8°:  pp.  11. 

[Total  number  of  pages  in  Vol.  II,  268.] 

Charter,  Constitution,  By-Laws  and  Catalogue  of  Members 
of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  mdcoclvh.  Saint  Paul ; 
Goodrich,  Somers  &  Co.,  Printers.     1857.     12° :  pp.  43. 


INDEX  OF  AUTHORS. 

A. 

Aldrich,  Hon.  Cyrus — Report  on  Nor.  Pacific  R.  R. 

Anderson,  Dr.  C.  L.  (and  T.  M.  Griffith)— Survey  of  portion  of 

Upper  Mississippi  River. 
Andrews,  C.  C. — Minnesota  and  Dakota. 
Andrews,  T.  F.— Official  Report  of  the  Constitutional  Convention 

Debates.    [Republican.] 
Arnold,  Mks.  W.  J. — The  Poets  and  Poetry  of  Minnesota. 

B. 

Bailey,  A. — Minnesota  Gazetteer,  &c. 
Barton,  Wm.  H.— Saint  Paul  Directory,  1869. 
Bell,  J.  B.— Saint  Paul  City  Directory,  1869. 
Beltrami,  C. — A  Pilgrimage  in  Europe  and  America. 

La  Decouverte  des  Sources  de  Mississippi. 
BiSBBE,  Rev.  Herman— Natural  Religion.    A  Sermon. 

1.  Adopted  January  20, 1868. 


70  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

Bishop,  Mrs.  Harriet  E. — Floral  Home. 

The  Dakota  War  Whoop. 

Minnesota,  Then  and  Now. 
Bishop,  J.  W.— History  of  Fillmore  County. 
Blanchard,  Rufus — Hand  Book  of  Minnesota. 
Bond,  J.  Wesley — Minnesota  and  its  Resources. 
Bremer,  Frederika — The  Homes  of  the  New  World. 
Brooks,  Rev.  Jabez — Methodism,  a  Centenary  Sermon. 
Bryant,  Chas.  S.,  (and  A.  B.  Murch) — History  of  the  Sioux  Massacre. 
BuRRiTT,  E.  H. — Journal  of  Capt.  Fiske's  Expedition. 


Carver,  Jonathan — Travels  through  the  Interior  Parts  of  North 

America,  &c. 
Catlin,  George— Indians  of  North  America. 
Castle,  Henry  A. — The  Problem  of  American  Destiny. 
Chamberlain,  H.  E.— St.  Anthony  and  Minneapolis  Directory. 
Charlevoix,  F.  X.— History  of  New  France. 
Chase,  Rev.  Geo.  L. — Christ,  not  Self.    A  Sermon. 
Chatfield,  a.  G. — Opinion  in  the  Hastings  Land  Site  Case. 
Child,  James  E. — Waseca  County,  &c. 
Chittenden,  N.  H.— Stranger's  Guide  to  Minneapolis. 
Coffin,  C.  C— The  Great  Commercial  Prize. 

The  Seat  of  Empire. 
CoLBURN,  Mary  J.— Minnesota  as  a  Home  for  Emigrants. 
CoLESON,  Ann — Narrative  of  Intiian  Captivity. 
Coloney,  M. — Manomin ;  a  Rhythmical  Romance. 
Combs,  Wm.  S.— Revised  Journal  of  Masonic  Grand  Lodge. 
Crawford,  I.  D.— (See  Ketchum,  &c.) 


DiSTURNELL,  J.— Tourists'  Guide  to  the  Upper  Mississippi. 
Dodge,  O.  E.— St.  Paul  Chamber  of  Commerce  Report,  1870. 
Donnelly,  Ignatius— Minnesota ;  an  Address,  &c. 

The  Sonnets  of  Shakspeare ;  an  Essay. 
Du  Pratz,  Le  Page— History  of  Louisiana. 


E. 

Eastlick,  Mrs.  Lavina— Narrative  of  Indian  Captivity. 
Eastman,  Mrs.  Mary  H.— Dahcotah;  or  Life  and  Legends,  &c. 

The  Romance  of  Indian  Life. 
Ebell,  Adrian  J.— The  Indian  Massacres  of  1862.     (Harpers'  Mag.) 
Edwards,  Richard— Gazetteer  of  the  Mississippi  River. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  71 

F. 

Featherstonhaugh,  G.  W.— Canoe  Voyage  up  the  Minnay  Sotor. 
FiSKis,  Capt.  J.  L.— Report  on  his  1st  and  2d  trips  to  Idaho. 
FoLWELL,  William  W. — Inaugural  Address  at  State  University. 
Ford,  L.  M. — Minnesota  Farmer  and  Gardener. 
French,  B.  F.— Histor.  Coll.  of  La.  and  Fla. 
Frink,  F.  W.— a  Record  of  Rice  County,  &c. 

G. 

Gale,  George — Upper  Mississippi. 

Gordon,  H.  L. — Fourth  of  July  Oration. 

Grace,  Rt.  Rev.  T.  L.— The  Papal  Encyclical. 

Gray,  Rev.  Edward  P.— Harmony  of  the  Gospel  History. 

Griffith,  T.  M. — (See  Anderson,  C.  L.) 

Griswold,  Wm.  B. — Mankato ;  and  Blue  Earth  County. 

H. 

Haines,  E.  M. — Compilation  of  Minnesota  Laws. 
Hall,  James— Notes  upon  the  Geology,  &c.,  of  Minnesota. 
Hankins,  H.— Dakota  Land ;  or  Beauty  of  St.  Paul. 
Hart,  Rev.  Burdett — Congregationalism.    A  Sermon. 

The  New  North-West. 
Hawley,  Rev.  S. — The  Fall  of  Sumpter. 
Heard,  I.  V.  D.— History  of  the  Sioux  War. 

Index  to  Common  Council  Proceedings,  &c. 
Heaton,  Hon.  D. — Manufactures  and  Trade  of  the  Upper  Mississippi. 
Hennepin,  L. — New  Discovery  of  a  Great  Country,  &c. 
Hewitt,  G. — Minnesota;  Its  Advantages  to  Settlers'. 
Hinman,  Rev.  S.  D. — Calvary  Catechism  in  Dakota. 

Prayer  Book  translated  into  Dakota. 
Hymns  translated  into  Dakota. 
Hudson,  A,  G. — Review  of  a  Sermon  on  Immortality. 

J. 

James,  Dr.  Edwin— Tanner's  Narrative  of  Captivity. 
Johnson,  Edwin  F.— Report  on  Nor.  Pacific  R.  R. 

K. 

Keating,  Wm.  H.— Expedition  to  Sources  of  the  St.  Peters  River. 
Keiller,  Andrew — Directory  of  St.  Paul,  1857. 
Kennedy,  E.  C. — Osseo,  the  Spectre  Chieftain. 
Ketchum,  F.  a.,  (and  Crawford)— St.  Paul  Directory,  1869. 
Kloos,  J.  H.— Dutch  Immigration  Pamphlet. 
Rapport  van  Ingenieur,  &c. 


72  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

L. 

La  Hontan,  Baron— New  Voyages  to  North  America. 

Lander,  Fred.  W. — Tleport  of  a  R.  R.  Reconnoisance,  &c. 

Lanman,  Chas. — A  Summer  in  the  Wilderness. 

Latrobe,  C.  J. — The  Rambler  in  North  America. 

Lea,  Albert  M. — Notes  on  Wisconsin  Territory. 

Le  Dug,  W.  G.— Minnesota  Year  Books,  1851-2-3. 

LiSTEO,  Soren — Scandinavian  Immigration  Pamphlet. 

Logan,  Mrs.  F.  A.— Equal  Rights,  &c. 

Lombard,  C.  W.— History  of  3d  Minnesota  Regiment. 

Long,  Maj.  S.  H. — Voyage  in  a  six-oared  Skiff,  &c. 

LuBY,  M.  D.  C— The  Columbiad. 

Ludden,  Jno.  D. — St.  Paul  Chamber  of  Commerce  Reports,  1868-69. 

M. 

Marble,  Manton— To  Red  River  and  Beyond,  (Harpers'  Mag.) 
Marshall,  Wm.  R.  (and  others) — Statement  on  Resources  of  N.P.R.R. 
Marshall,  Rev.  Thomas — Dedication  Sermon — Mankato. 
Mattson,  Hon.  H. — Scandinavian  Immigration  Pamphlets. 
McCoNKEY,  Mrs.  H.  E.  B.— (See  Bishop,  Mrs.  H.  E.) 
McClung,  J.  W.— Saint  Paul  Directory,  1866. 

Minnesota  as  it  is  in  1869. 
Mepwin,  Heman— Minnesota  Business  Directory. 
Mitchell,  W.  H.— History  of  Olmsted  County. 

History  of  Steel  County. 

History  of  Hennepin  County. 

History  of  Goodhue  County. 

History  of  Dakota  County. 
MuNsoN,  A  D. — Rise  and  Progress  of  Minnesota  Territory. 
MuRCH,  A.  B.— (See  Bryant,  C.  S.) 

N. 

Neill,  Rev.  E.  D.— Dahkotah  Land  and  Dahkotah  Life. 

History  of  Minnesota. 

Michal ;  or  Fashionable  Dancing. 

Hand  Book  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Effort  and  Failure  to  Civilize  the  Aborigines. 
Nichols,  Rev.  H.  M. — True  Thanksgiving;  and  True  Manhood. 
NicoLAY,  J.  G.—Hole-in-the-Day— (Harpers'  Mag.) 
Nicollet,  J.  N. — Hydrographical  Basin  of  Upper  Mississippi. 
Noble,  Rev.  F.  A. — Blood,  the  Price  of  Redemption. 

The  Assured  and  Glorious  Future  of  the  Nation. 
Nobles,  Col.  Wm.  H. — Speech  on  Emigrant  Route,  &c. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  73 

o. 

O'Brien,  Dillon— The  Dalys  of  Dalystown. 
Officer,  Harvey— Vols.  I-IX,  Supreme  Court  Reports. 
Oliphant,  Laurence— Minnesota  and  the  Far  West. 
OwEV,  David  Dale— Geological  Survey  of  Minnesota. 

P. 

Parker,  Nathan  H. — The  Minnesota  Hand  Book,  1856-7.  ^ 

Parkman,  Francis— The  Discovery  of  the  Great  West. 

Payne,  W.  W. — The  Minnesota  Teacher. 

Pelz,  Edward — German  Immigration  Documents. 

Perrot,  Nicolas— Memoir  on  the  Manners,  &c.,  of  the  Indians. 

Phelps,  Wm.  F. — Educational  Address. 

Pierson,  a.  T.  C— Masonic  Installation  Addresses. 

Lodge  of  Sorrow  Ceremony. 
Pike,  Z.  M. — Exploration  of  the  Upper  Mississippi. 
Pond,  Rev.  G.  H.— Dakota  School  Books. 
Pond,  Rev.  S.  W.— Translations  of  Works  into  Dakota. 
Pope,  Capt.  John— Exploration  of  Minnesota  Territory. 
Pope,  Rev.  Jno.  D.— Children  and  the  Childhood  of  Jesus. 

Anniversary  Sermon,  &c. 
PusBY,  Pennock — Statistics  of  Minnesota,  1870. 

R. 

Ramsey,  Hon.  Alex. — Address  at  2d  Territorial  Fair. 
Ravoux,  Rev.  A. — Path  to  Heaven,  (Dakota). 
Rawlings,  T. — Emigration,  with  special  reference  to  Minnesota. 
Reno,  Capt.  J.  L.— Survey  of  a  Road  from  Mendota  to  the  Big  Sioux. 
Renville,  John  B. — Translations  into  Dakota. 
Renville,  Joseph — Translations  into  Dakota. 
Rice,  G.  J.,  (and  Bell)— St.  Paul  Directory,  1869. 
RiGGS,  Mrs.  M.  A.  C— English  and  Dakota  Dictionary. 
RiGGS,  Rev.  Stephen  R. — Grammar  and  Dictionary  of  the  Dakota 

Language. 

Translations  and  Works  in  Dakota. 

Tah-Koo-Wah  Kan,  or  Gospel  among  the 
Dakotas. 
RiTz,  Philip — Letter  on  the  new  route,  (to  the  Pacific). 
Robertson,  D.  A. — The  Minnesota  Monthly. 
Rosa,  Gabriele — Life  of  Constantine  Beltrami. 


Sample,  Rev.  R.  T.— Historical  Sketch  of  Westminster  Presb.  Ch. 
Schatzel,  G.  W.— The  Wheat  Fields  of  Minnesota— (Harper's  Mag.) 
10 


74  MINNESOTA    HISIORICAL    COLLJXTIONS. 

Schoolcraft,  H.  B. — Indian  Tribes  of  the  United  States. 

Narrative  of  Travels  from  Detroit,  N.  W.,  &c. 

Narrative  of  au  Expedition  to  Itasca  Lake  in 
1820. 

Summary  of  an  Expedition  to  Itasca  Lake  in 
1832, 

Thirty  years'  residence  with  the  Indian  Tribes. 
Seymour,  E.  S.— Sketches  of  Minnesota;  theN.E.  of  the  West. 
Shaw,  E.  P.— Minneapolis  Directory. 
Shea,  John  G.— Discovery  and  Exploration  of  the  Mississippi. 

Early  Voyages  up  and  dowa  the  Mississippi. 
Shields,  Hon.  James — Speech  on  Pacific  Railroad  Bill. 
Skinner,  Rev.  D. — The  Final  Salvation  of  all  Mankind. 
Smith,  Hon.  A.  C. — Masonic  Installation  Address. 
Smith,  Francis  H. — Official  Report  of    Constitutional    Convention, 

(Democratic  Wing.) 
SanTH,  W.  R. — Minnesota  as  a  Home  for  Immigrants. 
SORIN,  Rev.  M. — Political  Character  of  Romanism. 
Spencer,  Wm.  A. — Vols.  X  to  XIII,  Supreme  Court  Reports. 
Starkey,  James— Suggestions  as  to  Sewerage  &c.,  in  St.  Paul. 
Stevens,  Isaac  I.— Northern  Pacific  R.  R.  Survey,  Vol.  XII. 

Letter  on  Northern  Pacific  Route. 
Stevens,  Rev.  J.  D.— Dakota  Spelling  Book, 
Stevens,  Jno.  H. — Early  History  of  Hennepin  County. 
Stone,  Rev.  Geo.  M.— Life  of  Dr.  John  D.  Ford. 
Storey,  W.  D. — A  view  of  Saint  Anthony  Falls. 
Sweetzer,  Chas.  H. — Tourist's  and  Invalid's  Guide  to  the  N.  W. 

T. 

Taylor,  Jas.  W.— The  Railroad  System  of  Minnesota. 

North- West  British  America. 

The  Sioux  War;  What  shall  we  do  with  it? 

The  Sioux  War;  Campaign  of  1863. 
TuTTLE,  Rev.  J.  B. — Universalism  Unmasked. 
TuTTLE,  J.  M.— The  Minnesota  Pineries. 

V. 
Van  Ingen,  Rev.  J.  V. — Memorial,  &c.,  on  Church  Foundation. 

w. 

Wakefield,  Mrs.  Sarah  F. — Six  weeks  in  the  Sioux  Teepes. 
Warren,  Gen.  G.  K. — Reports  on  Survey  of  Upper  Mississippi. 

Physical  Features  of  the  Upper  Miss.  Valley. 
Weeks,  Mrs.  Helen  C. — White  and  Red. 
Wheelock,  Jos.  A. — Minnesota;  Its  Place  among  the  States. 

Minnesota ;  Its  Progress  and  Capabilities. 
Whipple,  Rt.  Rev.  H.  B. — Address  to  the  10th  Convention,  &c. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  75 

Whittlesey,  Chas.— Geology  and  Minerals. 

Wilkinson,  M.  S. — Revised  Statutes  of  1851. 

WiLLARD,  J.  A. — Blue  Earth  Co. ;  its  Advantages,  &c. 

Williams,  Rev.  Edwin  Sidney — Christian  Amusements.    A  Sermon. 

Williams,  J.  F.— Carver  Centenary. 

Early  History  of  St.  Paul. 

Reports  of  Historical  Society,  1868-9-70. 

The  Minnesota  Guide. 

Atlantic  Cable  Celebration,  St.  Paul. 
Williamson,  Rev.  T.  S. — Translations  into  Dakota. 

Discourse  before  Synod  of  Minnesota. 
Williamson,  John  P. — Dakota  School  Books,  etc. 
WiNDOM,  Wm.— Speech  on  Nor.  Pac.  R.  R.  Bill. 
Winston,  T.  B. — Minnesota— a  bundle  of  facts,  &c. 
Wolff,  Albert— Gedichte  Vermischten  Inhalts. 
Wolfe,  J.  M.— Winona  Directory. 
Woods,  Maj.  S.— Pembina  Settlement,  &c. 


♦«*  The  foregoing  article  was  completed  February,  1870,  and  Includes  only 
books  issued  up  to  that  time. 


A  REMINISCENCE  OF  FT.  SNELLING. 


BY  MRS.  CHARLOTTE  O.  VAN  CLEVE. 


Like  the  old  man  in  Dickens*  "  Child's  Story,"  "  I  am  always 
remembering :  come  and  remember  with  me." 

I  close  my  eyes  and  recall  an  evening  some  forty-two  years 
ago,  when,  in  one  of  the  stone  houses  near  Fort  Snelling, 
which  was  our  home  at  that  time,  a  pleasant  company  of  officers 
and  their  families  were  spending  a  social  evening  with  my 
parents.  The  doors  were  thrown  open,  for  the  weather  was 
warm,  and  one  of  the  officers,  Capt.  Cruger,^  was  walking  on 
the  piazza,  when  we  were  all  startled  by  the  sound  of  rapid 
firing  very  near  us.  The  captain  rushed  into  the  house,  much 
agitated,  exclaiming,  "  That  bullet  almost  grazed  my  ear ! " 
What  could  it  mean  :  were  the  Indians  surrounding  us  ? 

Soon  the  loud  yells  and  shrieks  from  the  Indian  camp  near 
our  house  made  it  evident  that  the  treaty  of  peace,  made  that 
afternoon  between  the  Sioux  and  Chippewas,  had  ended,  as  all 
those  treaties  did,  in  treachery  and  bloodshed.  The  principal 
men  of  the  two  nations  had  met  at  the  Indian  Agency,  and,  in 
the  presence  of  Maj.  Taliaferro,^  their  "  White  Father,"  had 

1.  Capt.  Wm.  E.  Cruger  was  a  native  of  New  York,  and  graduated  at 
"West  Point  in  1819.  He  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  ttie  Fifth 
Infantry  on  July  12,  1820;  and  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  June,  1824; 
Adjutant  in  1827;  and  Captain  in  October,  1833.  He  resigned  under  circum- 
stances derogatory  to  his  character,  on  Oct.  31,  1836,  and  died  soon  after  In 
New  York,  where  he  had  sunk  to  poverty  and  obscurity.— W. 

2.  Lawrence  Taliaferro  was  born  in  Virginia,  Feb.  28, 1794;  enlisted  in 
war  of  1812,  at  age  of  16;  rose  to  the  rank  of  First  Lieutenant;  and  at  close 
of  war  was  retained,  with  that  rank,  in  the  regular  service.  In  1819  resigned, 
and  was  appointed  Indian  Agent  at  "  Saint  Peter's,"  which  post  he  held  21 
years,  by  successive  reappointments,  until  January,  1840,  when  he  resigned. 
He  is  now  U.  S.  Military  Storekeeper  at  Bedford,  Pa.— W. 


A  REMINISCENCE  OF  FORT  SNELLING.  77 

made  a  solemn  treaty  of  peace.  In  the  evening,  at  the  wigwam 
of  the  Chippewa  chief,  they  had  ratified  this  treaty  by  smoking 
the  pipe  of  peace  together ;  and  then,  before  the  smoke  of  the 
emblematic  pipe  had  cleared  away,  the  treacherous  Sioux  had 
gone  out  and  deliberately  fired  into  the  wigwam,  killing  and 
wounding  several  of  the  unsuspecting  inmates.  The  Chippewas 
of  course  returned  the  fire,  and  this  was  what  had  startled  us 
all  and  broken  up  the  pleasant  little  gathering  at  my  father's^ 
house. 

The  Chippewas  sought  refuge  and  protection  with  their 
wounded  within  the  walls  of  the  fort,  commanded  at  that  time 
by  Col.  JosiAH  Snelling,^  for  whom  it  was  named.    They  were 

1.  Maj.  Nathan  Clark  was  born  in  May,  1789,  near  Worcester,  Mass.  He 
entered  the  service  as  a  Second  Lieutenant  in  the  37th  Infantry  in  1812. 
After  serving  with  honor  in  the  war,  he  was  retained  at  its  close,  and 
appointed  in  the  regular  army,  being  assigned  to  the  Fifth  Infantry.  He  was 
stationed  on  recruiting  service  some  time  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  where  he 
became  acquainted  with  and  married,  in  1816,  Miss  Charlotte  Ann  Seymour, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Seymour  of  that  city.  After  about  two  years  of  service 
at  various  posts,  Maj.  Clark  returned  to  Hartford,  whence  he  was,  in  1819, 
ordered  to  join  his  regiment  at  Detroit,  at  which  place  it  rendezvoused, 
previous  to  coming  to  St.  Peter's  (Mendota.)  The  march  from  Detroit  to 
Prairie  du  Chien,  through  a  wilderness,  was  one  of  hardship,  especially  to 
the  ladies  who  accompanied  the  regiment.  On  arriving  at  Prairie  du  Chien, 
Mrs.  Van  Cleve,  the  authoress  of  this  sketch,  was  born,  on  July  1,  1819. 
Aft«r  a  little  stay  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  Maj .  Clark  and  his  family  proceeded 
to  St.  Peter's,  which  was  their  home  for  nearly  eight  years.  Maj.  Clark  was, 
during  this  period,  commissary  of  the  post.  In  1827  he  was  ordered  to  Fort 
Crawford,  and  after  remaining  there  several  months,  was  sent  to  Nashville 
on  recruiting  service.  While  at  this  post,  the  family  became  acquainted 
with  Gen.  Jackson,  then  running  for  President  (1828.)  Some  interesting  remi- 
niscences of  "  Old  Hickory,"  as  he  was  called  at  that  period,  were  contributed 
by  Mrs.  Van  Cleve  to  Parton's  Life  of  Jackson,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  159.  Maj.  Clark 
was  next  stationed  at  Smithland,  Ky.,  and  then  at  Cincinnati,  where  his 
family  resided  some  three  or  four  years.  Meantime,  he  commanded  Fort 
Howard  during  the  Black  Hawk  War,  and  was  joined  by  his  family  in  1833, 
at  Fort  Winnebago,  Wis.  Maj .  Clark  died  at  that  post,  of  disease  induced  by 
exposure  and  frontier  service,  on  Feb.  18,  1886.  His  remains  now  repose  in 
Spring  Grove  Cemetery,  at  Cincinnati.  His  widow,  Mrs.  Charlote  A.  Clark, 
still  survives,  with  faculties  unimpaired  by  age.  Her  memory,  and  that  ol 
her  daughter,  Mrs.  Van  Cleve,  is  a  storehouse  of  the  most  entertaining  and 
valuable  historical  reminiscences  of  early  days  in  the  Northwest,  most  of 
which  have  never  been  recorded.  I  am  glad  to  add,  that  on  a  recent  visit  to 
Mrs.  Van  Cleve,  I  found  her  engaged  in  writing  up  copious  memoirs-  of  the 
days  of  half  a  century  ago,  and  secured  a  promise  to  have  them  placed, 
when  completed,  at  the  disposal  of  this  Society.— W. 

2.  Col.  Josiah  Snelling  was  born  in  Massacfhusetts  in  1782.  He  was  com- 
missioned First  Lieutenant  in  the  Fourth  Infantry  in  1808,  Regimental 
Paymaster  in  April,  1809,  and  promoted  to  a  Captaincy  in  June  following. 
P.reveted  Major  for  gallantry  at  Brownstown  in  August,  1812.    In  April,  1818, 


78  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

kindly  cared  for,  and  the  wounded  were  tenderly  nursed  in 
our  hospital.  One,  a  little  girl,  daughter  of  the  chief,  excited 
much  sympathy,  and  I  cannot  forget  the  interest  I  felt  in  her, 
for  she  was  but  a  year  or  two  older  than  myself,  and  it  seemed 
to  me  so  cruel  to  ruthlessly  put  out  her  j^oung  life.  I  remember 
the  ladies  of  the  fort  were  very  kind  and  tender  to  her,  and  since 
I  have  had  little  girls  of  my  own,  I  know  why.  She  lingered 
but  a  few  days,  in  great  agony,  and  then  God  took  her  out  of 
her  pain  to  that  land  where  the  poor  little,  wandering,  wounded 
child  should  know  sin  or  suffering  no  more. 

Meanwhile  our  colonel,  a  prompt  and  efficient  officer, 
demanded  of  the  Sioux  the  murderers,  and  in  a  very  few  days, 
a  body  of  Sioux  were  seen  advancing  towards  the  fort,  as  was 
supposed,  to  deliver  up  the  criminals.  Two  companies  of 
soldiers  were  sent  to  meet  them  and  receive  the  murderers  at 
their  hands.  Strange  to  say,  although  they  had  the  men,  they 
refused  to  give  them  up.  Our  interpreter,  I  cannot  recall  his 
name,  stepped  out  from  among  our  soldiers,  and  said : 

"  If  you  do  not  yield  up  these  men  peaceably,  then,  as  many 
leaves  as  there  are  on  these  trees,  as  many  blades  of  grass  as 
you  see  beneath  your  feet,  so  many  white  men  will  come  upon 
you,  burn  your  villages,  and  destroy  your  nation." 

was  appointed  Assistant  Inspector  General,  and  in  February,  1848,  com- 
missioned Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  Fourth  Rifles.  He  served  with  honor 
at  the  battles  of  Tippecanoe,  Maguaga,  and  Lyons  Creek,  and  other  engage- 
ments in  the  war  of  1812,  and  at  its  close  was  retained  as  Lieutenant 
Colonel  of  the  Sixth  Infantry.  He  was  promoted  to  Colonel  of  the  Fifth 
Infantry  in  1819.  The  Fifth  Infantry  was  ordered  to  St.  Peter's  (Mendota) 
in  February  of  that  year,  and  in  August,  1820,  Col.  Snelmng  arrived,  took 
command  of  the  post,  and  in  September  commenced  to  build  "Fort  St. 
Anthony."  It  was  completed  for  occupancy  in  the  fall  of  1822.  In  1824, 
Gen.  Scott  visited  and  inspected  it.  At  his  recommendation,  the  War 
Department  changed  the  name  to  "Fort  Snelling,"  in  honor  of  its  builder. 
In  the  summer  of  1827,  the  Fifth  Regiment  was  ordered  to  Jefferson  Barracks. 
Col.  SNEiiLiNG  proceeded  to  Washington  on  official  business,  and  while  there 
was  seized  with  inflammation  of  the  brain  and  died  on  August  28th.  Col. 
Snelling  had  two  sons  who  have  been  eminent.  Wm.  Joseph  Snelling  was 
an  author  of  ability,  and  wrote  a  book  entitled:  "Tales  of  the  Northwent ;  or, 
Sketches  of  Indian  Life  and  Character.  By  a  Resident  beyond  the  Frontier." 
(Boston,  1830.)  Catlin  speaks  in  unbounded  praise  of  the  work  as  a  faithful 
picture  of  Indian  Life.  The  author,  a  man  of  genius,  but  unfortunate  habits, 
died  in  Massachusetts  in  1848,  aged  44  years.  The  other  son  of  Col.  Snelling, 
James  G.  S.  Snelling,  entered  the  army  and  served  with  distinction  in  the 
Mexican  War,  The  widow  of  Col.  Snelling  is  still  living  in  Cincinnati,  O., 
at  an  advanced  age,  having  remarried  after  the  coloners  death.— W. 


A  REMINISCENCE  OF  FORT  SNELLING.  79 

A  few  moments'  consideration,  a  few  hurried  words  of  con- 
sultation, and  the  guilty  men  were  handed  over  to  our  troops. 
The  tribe  followed  as  they  were  taken  into  the  fort,  and  making 
a  small  fire  within  the  walls,  the  condemned  marched  round  and 
round  it,  singing  their  death  songs,  and  then  were  given  up  to 
be  put  in  irons  and  held  in  custody  until  time  should  determine 
how  many  lives  should  pay  the  forfeit,  for  it  is  well  known  that 
Indian  revenge  is  literally  a  life  for  a  life,  and  the  colonel  had 
decided  to  give  them  into  the  hands  of  the  injured  tribe  to  do 
with  them  as  they  would. 

Some  weeks  passed  and  it  was  found  that  five  lives  were  to 
be  paid  for  in  kind.  A  council  of  Chippewas  decided  that  the 
five  selected  from  the  prisoners  should  run  the  gauntlet,  and 
the  decision  was  approved. 

Back  over  the  lapse  of  these  many  years  I  pass  and  seem  to 
be  a  child  again,  standing  beside  my  only  brother^  at  the  back 
door  of  my  father's  house. 

The  day  is  beautiful,  the  sun  is  so  bright,  the  grass  so  green, 
all  nature  so  smiling,  it  is  hard  to  realize  what  is  going  on  over 
yonder  by  the  graveyard,  in  that  crowd  of  men  and  women. 
For  there  are  gathered  together  of  the  Chippewas,  old  and 
young  men,  women  and  children,  who  have  come  out  to  witness 
or  take  part  in  this  act  of  retributive  justice.  There  are  blue 
coats  too,  and  various  badges  of  our  U.  S.  uniform,  for  it  is 
necessary  to  throw  some  restraint  around  these  red  men,  or 
there  may  be  wholesale  murder ;  and,  borne  on  the  shoulders 
of  his  young  men,  we  see  the  form  of  the  wounded,  dying  chief, 
regarding  all  with  calm  satisfaction,  and  no  doubt  happy  in  the 
thought  that  his  death,  so  near,  will  not  go  unavenged.  And 
there  stand  the  young  braves  who  have  been  selected  as 
the  executioners :  their  rifles  are  loaded,  the  locks  carefully 
examined,  and  all  is  ready  when  the  word  shall  be  given. 

1.  Malcolm  CLARKwas  the  only  son  of  Maj.  Nathan  Clark.  He  was  born  at 
Fort  Wayne,  Ind.  (where  his  father  was  temporarily  stationed)  in  1817.  His 
entire  life  was  passed  on  the  frontier— his  early  boyhood  at  Fort  Sne'lling— 
and  he  became  a  proficient  in  several  Indian  tongues,  and  thoroughly 
acquainted  with  savage  life  and  customs,  uli imately  becoming  allied  to  them 
by  marriage.  He  had  many  thrilling  adventures  during  his  long  residence 
with  the  Indians,  and  after  innumerable  escapes  finally  met  his  death  at  the 
hands  of  the  Blackfeet  Indians,  at  his  trading  post  near  Helena,  Montana 
Territory,  Aug.  18,  1869,  aged  nearly  53  years.— W. 


80  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

There  too,  under  guard,  are  the  live  men  who  are  to  pay  the 
forfeit  for  the  five  lives  taken  so  wantonly  and  treacherously. 

Away  otf,  I  cannot  tell  how  many  rods,  but  it  seems  to  us 
children  a  long  run^  are  stationed  the  Sioux  tribe,  and  that  is 
the  goal  for  which  the  wretched  men  must  run  for  their  lives. 

And  now  all  seems  ready ;  and  we  stand  on  tiptoe,  while 
the  balls  and  chains  are  knocked  off  and  the  captives  are  set 
free.  At  a  word  one  of  the  doomed  men  starts,  the  rifles  with 
unerring  aim  are  fired,  and  under  cover  of  the  smoke  a  man  falls 
dead.  They  reload,  the  word  is  given,  another  starts  with  a 
bound  for  home;  but  ah  !  the  aim  of  those  clear-sighted,  blood- 
thirsty red  men  is  too  deadly  ;  and  so  one  after  another  until 
four  are  down. 

And  then  the  last,  "  Little  Six" — whom  at  that  distance,  we 
children  readily  recognize,  from  his  commanding  height  and 
graceful  form  ;  he  is  our  friend,  and  we  hope  he  will  get  home. 
He  starts, — they  fire, — the  smoke  clears  away  and  still  he  is 
running, — we  clap  our  hands,  and  say  "he  will  get  home ;  '* 
but  another  volley  and  our  favorite,  almost  at  the  goal,  springs 
into  the  air  and  comes  down — dead !  I  cover  my  face  and  shed 
tears  of  real  sorrow  for  our  friend.  And  now  follows  a  scene 
that  beggars  description.  The  bodies,  all  warm  and  limp,  are 
dragged  to  the  brow  of  the  hill.  Men  who  at  the  sight  of 
blood,  become  almost  fiends,  tear  off  the  reeking  scalps  and 
hand  them  to  the  chief,  who  hangs  them  around  his  neck. 
Women  and  children  with  tomahawks  and  knives  cut  deep 
gashes  in  the  poor  dead  bodies,  and  scooping  up  the  hot  blood 
with  their  hands,  eagerly  drink  it ;  then,  grown  frantic,  they 
dance,  and  yell,  and  sing  their  horrid  scalp  songs,  recounting 
deeds  of  valor  on  the  part  of  their  brave  men,  and  telling  off 
the  Sioux  scalps,  taken  in  different  battles,  until  tired  and 
satiated  at  last  with  their  horrid  feast,  they  leave  the  mutilated 
bodies — festering  in  the  sun. 

At  nightfall  they  are  thrown  over  the  bluff  into  the  river, 
and  my  brother  and  myself,  awe  struck  and  quiet,  trace  their 
hideous  voyage  down  the  Mississippi  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
We  lie  awake  that  night  talking  of  the  dreadful  sight  we  have 
seen,  and  we  try  to  imagine  what  the  people  in  New  Orleans 
will  think  when  they  see  those  ghastly  upturned  faces ; — and 


A  REMINISCENCE  OF  FORT  SNELLING.  81 

we  talk  with  quivering  lips  and  tearful  eyes  of  "  Little  Six," 
and  of  the  many  kind  things  he  has  done  for  us,  the  bows  and 
arrows,  the  mocauks  of  sugar,  the  pretty  beaded  moccasins,  he 
has  given  us ;  and  we  wish,  oh !  we  wish,  he  could  have  run 
faster,  or  that  the  Chippewa  rifles  had  missed  fire.  And  we 
sleep  and  dream  of  scalps,  and  rifles,  and  war  whoops,  and 
frightful  yells,  and  wake,  wishing  it  had  all  been  a  dream. 

Next  day  the  djing  chief  sat  up  in  bed,  painted  himself  for 
death,  sang  his  death  song,  and  with  those  five  fresh,  bloody 
scalps  about  his  neck  lay  down  and  died,  calmly  and  peace- 
fully, in  the  comfortable  hope,  no  doubt,  of  a  welcome  in  those 
"  happy  hunting  grounds,"  prepared  by  the  "  Good  Spirit,"  for 
all  those  Indians  who  are  faithful  to  their  friends,  and  avenge 
themselves  upon  their  foes. 

A  few  years  ago  I  told  this  story  to  another  "  Little  Six," 
"  Old  Shakopee,"  as  he  lay,  with  gyves  upon  his  legs,  in  our 
guard  house  at  Fort  Snelling,  awaiting  execution,  for  almost 
numberless  cold-blooded  murders,  perpetrated  during  the  dread- 
ful massacre  of  '62.  He  remembered  it  all,  and  his  wicked  old 
face  lighted  up  with  joy  as  he  told  me  he  was  the  son  of  that 
"Little  Six"  who  made  so  brave  a  run  for  his  life;  and  he 
showed  as  much  pride  and  pleasure  in  listening  to  the  recital 
of  his  father's  treacherous  conduct,  as  the  children  of  our  great 
generals  will  do  some  day,  as  they  read  or  hear  of  deeds  of 
bravery  or  daring  that  their  fathers  have  done. 

Saint  Anthony,  1869. 


11 


NARRATIVE  OF  PAUL  MAZAKOOTEMANE. 


TRANSLATED  BY  REV.  S.  R.  RIGGS. 


The  Declaration  of  Paul  Mazakootemane,  of  the  Dakota 
People. 

I  desire  that  the  American  people,  who  are  my  friends, 
should  listen  to  this  my  personal  narrative.^ 

I  was  born  an  Indian,  and  consequently  I  did  not  know  to 
distinguish  between  the  good  and  the  bad.  I  followed  the 
Dakota  customs  alone, — and  this  I  did  until  I  was  twenty-nine 
years  old.  Then  the  American  sacred  men  came  among  my 
people  and  commenced  to  teach  them.  But  I  did  not  under- 
stand, and  I  thought  if  I  should  give  my  attention  to  it  for 
ten  years,  I  should  still  not  understand  it.  But  when  I  had 
learned  to  put  two  or  three  letters  together,  I  began  to  com- 
prehend the  writing,  from  which  I  progressed  until  1  was  able 
to  read  a  little.  Then  I  began  to  read  the  sacred  writing,  but  I 
did  not  still  know  that  the  great  God  would  have  mercj^  on  me. 

By  and  by  I  came  to  know  this,  and  then  the  sacred  writing 
showed  me  that  for  all  my  past  evil  deeds  I  must  die.  After- 
wards came  the  conviction  that  I  was  even  now  dead,  but  the 
great  God  was  merciful  and  had  given  His  Son  only  Begotten 
to  die  for  us  ;  and  He  had  died  for  sin,  that  through  his  suffer- 
ings we  might  live.  So  the  question  came  up,  "  What  shall  I 
do  to  be  saved  ?"  and  morning  and  night  I  sought  by  prayer 
to  know  how  I  could  be  saved. 

1.  Mr.  RiGGS  says  in  a  note  accompanying  this  papor:  "I  received  this 
personal  narrative  of  Paul,  written  by  himself  in  the  Dakota  Language. 
Among  other  things,  it  gives  an  inside  vieio  of  the  late  Sioux  outbreak,  by  a 
loyal  Dakota  man.  I  think,  therefore,  it  will  be  valuable."  The  MS.  of  Paul 
is  written  in  a  neat  and  scholarly  manner.— W. 


i 


NARRATIVE  OF  PAUL  MAZAKOOTEMANE.  83 

After  a  while  the  great  God  my  Father  wrought  in  me  great 
thanksgiving,  and  made  me  a  member  and  an  office-bearer  in 
his  church.  Thus  the  good  God  brought  to  us  wild  men  the 
way  of  life  ;  and  now  the  gospel  has  taken  root  and  will  grow 
among  the  Indians.     For  this  we  give  great  thanks. 

Then  the  sacred  men  who  came  to  us,  counselled  me  and  told 
me  to  put  off  my  Dakota  clothes  and  be  like  a  white  man :  to 
cut  off  my  hair  and  put  on  white  man's  clothes.  This  I  thought 
was  good  advice,  and  I  acted  in  accordance  therewith.  With  a 
good  number  of  my  friends  I  changed  my  dress.  Nearly  forty 
of  us  at  one  time  cut  off  our  hair  and  put  on  the  white  man's 
dress  and  formed  ourselves  into  a  separate  community,  of  which 
they  elected  me  chief;  and  our  separate  band  was  at  once 
recognized  by  the  agent,  Maj.  Murphy.  This  was  in  1856. 
The  agent  was  well  pleased  with  our  onward  movement,  and 
said,  "  If  all  the  Dakotas  would  do  so  it  would  be  well."  It 
was  well.     I  liked  it. 

The  next  year  Inkpadoota  (Scarlet  Point)  killed  a  great 
many  white  people.  And  as  I  now  considered  myself  a  white 
man,  my  heart  was  sad  for  this  thing.  At  this  time  Maj. 
Flandrau  was  agent.  He  called  the  Dakotas  together ;  and 
when  all  the  people  had  come,  he  asked  them  to  go  and  rescue 
the  women  captives  who  were  in  the  hands  of  Inkpadoota. 
My  heart  was  real  bad  about  it,  and  I  said  I  would  seek  them. 
I  went  and  searched  for  them,  and  after  twenty  days  I  succeeded 
in  bringing  home  Miss  Abbe  Gardner,  the  only  remaining  cap- 
tive. We  took  her  down  immediately  to  St.  Paul  and  delivered 
her  to  the  Governor.  "  You  are  a  brave  man,  and  you  have 
done  a  great  deed.  You  have  accomplished  a  great,  good  work 
through  your  bravery,"  he  said  to  me.  He  said  also  he  would 
write  about  it  to  the  Great  Father,  who  would  like  it  also. 

For  this  I  gave  thanks  to  the  great  God.  I  said,  "  O  God, 
my  Father,  thou  hast  manifested  thy  mercy,  and  by  this  good 
work,  thou  hast  made  me  glad,  in  that  thou  hast  enabled  me  to 
do  this  good  thing." 

The  year  following  this,  four  of  the  Leaf  Villagers  and  four 
of  the  Sisseton  Band  were  invited  to  go  to  see  the  Great  Father. 
I  was  one  of  the  delegation.  They  took  us  on,  and  we  reached 
Washington  in  about  a  month.    We  went  to  the  Great  Father's 


84  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

house  and  shook  hands  with  him,  when  he  said  to  me,  "  Paul 
Mazakootemane,  T  bless  your  name.  When  you  go  home,  tell 
your  people  to  follow  the  white  man's  customs  alone."  So 
when  I  returned  I  counselled  my  people  according  to  the  words 
of  our  Great  Father.  We  planted  larger  fields,  for  the  great 
God  had  mercy  on  us.  We  built  also  two.  sacred  houses 
(churches)  in  my  country.  And  when  the  chiefs  of  the  Leaf 
and  Marsh  Villagers  talked  with  the  white  people,  they  made 
me  their  spokesman.  So  I  asked  my  Father  the  great  God  to 
give  me  wisdom,  and  I  think  he  granted  it  to  me. 

Then  suddenly  came  the  outbreak  of  the  Lower  Indians  (the 
Mdawakontonwans.)  I  heard  they  were  fighting  with  the  white 
people  ;  and  I  hastened  to  the  mission  station  at  Hazelwood  to 
keep  my  sacred  men  from  being  killed.  By  night  and  by  day  I 
guarded  them.  My  young  men  were  few,  but  we  did  a  good 
work  in  saving  the  lives  of  all  the  mission  families.  In  this  I 
thought  the  good  Lord  had  mercy  on  me,  and  I  gave  thanks. 
I  said,  "  O  God,  my  Father,  thou  hast  shown  to  me  thy  favor, 
in  that  thou  hast  enabled  me  to  save  alive  my  friends." 

This  was  in  1862.  Then  we  were  alone  with  the  Dakotas ; 
and  I  saw  no  opening  for  good.  But  I  did  not  forget  the  word 
of  the  great  God  my  Father,  and  I  think  He  led  me  to  a  strong 
purpose. 

As  I  went  from  tent  to  tent  in  the  Dakota  camp  I  saw  a  great 
many  white  women  and  children  captives.  On  that  account 
my  heart  was  very  sad,  and  I  became  almost  sick.  I  considered 
what  I  could  do  to  save  these  captives.  And  He  who  is  mer- 
ciful and  strong  helped  me,  and  in  answer  to  ray  prayers  gave 
me  strength.  So  I  went  into  the  assembly  of  all  the  Dakota 
braves,  and  I  said  to  them,  ''  If  you  will  give  me  leave  in  your 
council,  I  will  speak  to  you  of  a  certain  mattci ."  They  gave 
me  leave  to  speak.  Then  I  stood  up  and  said,  '*  When  this 
people  in  times  past  have  assembled  in  council  I  have  been 
their  speake]c ;  but  that  time  is  past.  I  want  to  speak  now  to 
you  of  what  is  in  my  own  heart.  Give  me  all  these  white  cap- 
tives. I  will  deliver  them  up  to  their  friends.  You  Dakotas 
are  numerous — you  can  afford  to  give  these  captives  to  me,  and 
I  will  go  with  them  to  the  white  people.  Then,  if  you  want  to 
fight,  when  you  see  the  white  soldiers  coming  to  fight,  fight 


NARRATIVE  OF  PAUL  MAZAKOOTEMANE.  85 

with  them,  but  don't  fight  with  women  and  children.  Or  stop 
fighting.  The  Americans  are  a  great  people.  They  have  much 
lead,  powder,  guns,  and  provisions.  Stop  fighting,  and  now 
gather  up  all  the  captives  and  give  them  to  me.  No  one  who 
fights  with  the  white  people  ever  becomes  rich,  or  remains  two 
days  in  one  place,  but  is  always  fleeing  and  starving.  You 
have  said  that  whoever  talks  in  this  way  shall  not  live — that 
you  will  kill  him.  Stop  talking  in  that  way,  and  if  any  one 
says  what  is  good,  listen  to  it." 

Then  White  Lodge's  son,who  is  called  "Strike  the  Pawnees," 
arose  and  said,  "  If  we  are  to  die,  these  captives  shall  die  with 
us  " — and  to  this  they  all  said  "  Yes." 

I  then  returned  home  and  made  a  gi-eat  feast  myself,  to 
which  I  invited  more  than  two  hundred  men.  When  they  came 
together  I  again  demanded  the  captives,  and  made  a  long 
speech.  They  had  said  they  would  fight  the  Americans  and 
make  friends  with  the  British.  To  this  I  answered.  "  When 
you  sa}^  you  will  fight  the  Americans  and  attach  yourselves 
firmly  to  the  British,  you  say  what  is  not  true.  Forsake  then 
your  evil  doings,  for  the  British  will  dislike  every  one  who  is 
wicked  and  disobedient,  even  though  he  be  a  white  man.  This 
is  my  thought :  listen  to  it,  and  deliver  up  to  me  the  captives." 

Then  Rattling  Runner,  one  of  the  chief  braves  said  to  me, 
"The  braves  say  they  will  not  give  you  the  captives.  The 
Mdawakontonwans  are  men,  and  therefore  as  long  as  one  of 
them  lives  they  will  not  stop  pointing  their  guns  at  the  Ameri- 
cans." 

Next  to  him  a  man  who  is  called  The  Thunder  that  makes 
itself  blue  said  to  me,  "  Although  we  shall  die  bravely,  and 
though  the  captives  die  in  the  way,  I  don't  care.  Don't  men- 
tion the  captives  any  more." 

When  they  had  said  these  things,  they  arose  and  departed, 
and  as  they  went  home  they  sang  a  soldier's  song : — 

♦'  Over  the  earth  I  come; 
Over  the  earth  I  come; 

A  soldier  I  come; 
Over  the  earth  I  am  a  ghost." 

This  is  the  song  they  sang.  I  disliked  it  very  much ;  and 
although  my  young  men  were  few,  I  said  to  them,  "  Take  your 


86  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

guns ;  this  people  have  wrought  a  great  wickedness  which  I 
will  cut  in  two."  So  they  took  up  their  guns.  I  then  gathered 
all  the  horses  and  wagons  that  had  been  taken  from  the  half 
breeds  and  restored  them  to  them.  Then  I  called  especially 
upon  my  friends  among  the  Sissetons.  After  this  I  invited  the 
Sissetons  and  the  Mdawankontons  all — and  on  the  one  side 
were  Sissetons,  and  on  the  other  side  the  Mdawakontons.  I 
took  my  stand  in  the  midst.  They  said  they  would  kill  me ; 
but  as  I  wished  to  die  in  the  midst  of  a  great  multitude,  I 
spoke  thus :  "  Sissetons,  the  Mdawakontons  have  made  war 
upon  the  white  people,  and  have  now  fled  up  here.  I  have 
asked  them  why  they  did  this,  but  I  do  not  yet  understand  it. 
I  have  asked  them  to  do  me  a  favor,  but  they  have  refused. 
Now  I  will  ask  them  again  in  your  hearing.  Mdawakontons, 
why  have  you  made  war  on  the  white  people  ?  The  Americans 
have  given  us  money,  food,  clothing,  ploughs,  powder,  tobacco, 
guns,  knives,  and  all  things  by  which  we  might  live  well ;  and 
they  have  nourished  us  even  like  a  father  his  children.  Why 
then  have  you  made  war  upon  them  ?  You  did  not  tell  me  you 
were  going  to  fight  with  'the  white  people  ;  and  how  then  should 
I  approve  it?  No,  I  will  go  over  to  the  white  people.  If  they 
wish  it  they  may  kill  me.  If  they  don't  wish  to  kill  me,  I  shall 
live.  So,  all  of  you  who  do  not  want  to  fight  with  the  white 
people,  come  over  to  me.  I  haveliow  one  hundred  men.  We 
are  going  over  to  the  white  people.  Deliver  up  to  me  the 
captives.  And  as  many  of  you  as  don't  wish  to  fight  with  the 
whites,  gather  yourselves  together  to-day  and  come  to  me — all 
of  you  who  are  willing." 

Having  said  these  things  to  them,  I  removed  my  tent  out  to 
one  side,  the  same  day.  Then  His  Thunder,  who  had  Mr. 
Spencer,  one  of  the  captives,  came  and  pitched  his  tent  by 
mine.  And  all  who  valued  the  friendship  of  the  Americans 
came  also — such  as  Simon  and  Lorenzo  of  the  Wahpetons. 
Also  two  Sissetons,  viz.,  Wamdisuntanka  (Great-tailed  Eagle) 
and  Hayokisna  (Hay oka  alone.)  These  were  both  good  men, 
and  each  had  a  captive  boy ;  but  they  took  care  of  them  as 
their  own  children.  The  captive  that  Great-tailed  Eagle 
had  was  without  clothes.     He  sold  a  horse  and  bought  clothes 


NARftATIVE  OF  PAUL  MAZAKOOtEMANE.  Sl 

and  dressed  up  the  captive  boy  very  well.     And  I  thought  he 
did  a  good  deed. 

After  this  they  gathered  up  the  captives  and  gave  them  to 
me.  And  now  Gen.  Sibley  came  with  his  army.  I  remained 
at  our  camp  near  the  mouth  of  the  Chippewa,  while  a  great 
part  of  the  Dakotas  fled.  When  the  white  troops  came  near, 
I  raised  a  white  flag.  Gen.  Sibley  came  on  and  encamped 
near  me,  and  so  I  shook  hands  Tt^ith  him  and  with  all  the  oflScers. 
Then  I  said,  *'  I  have  grown  up  like  a  child  of  yours.  With 
what  is  yours,  you  have  caused  me  to  grow ;  and  now  I  take 
your  hand  as  a  child  takes  the  hand  of  his  father.  My  hand 
is  not  bad.  With  a  clean  hand  I  take  your  hand.  I  know 
whence  this  blessing  cometh.  I  have  regarded  all  white  people 
as  my  friends,  and  from  this  I  understand  this  blessing  has 
come.  This  is  a  good  work  we  do  to-day,  whereof  I  am  glad. 
Yes,  before  the  great  God  I  am  glad." 

Gen.  Sibley  said  to  me,  "  This  is  good.  Henceforth  I  will 
take  you  into  my  service."  Since  that  I  and  my  children  have 
lived  well.  And  from  that  time  more  than  ever  I  have  regarded 
myself  as  a  white  man,  and  I  have  counselled  my  boys  accor- 
dingly. 

There  was  then  a  fort  built  at  the  head  of  the  Coteau  des 
Prairies ;  and  the  oflScer  in  command  made  known  the  will  of 
the  Great  Father.  He  said  that  all  the  Dakotas  who  wished 
for  good  might  come  to  the  head  of  the  Coteau  and  live. 
"  Come,  come,"  he  said  to  the  Dakotas,  "  the  Great  Father  is 
merciful,  and  will  have  mercy  on  any  one  who  is  needy."  This 
he  said  giving  them  the  invitation.  Then  all  the  men  who 
wished  for  the  friendship  of  the  ^white  people  came  in,  and 
with  their  people  desired  good.  These  are  the  chief  men — 
Wasukiye,  Wamnahize,  Wasuiciyapa,  Wamdisuntanka,  Isakiye 
and  HuPACOKAMAZA.  These  first  shook  hands  with  the  white 
people  and  desired  that  they  and  their  children  might  live. 

I  talked  with  these  men,  and  said  to  them,  "  Why  did  you 
flee  ?  You  were  not  implicated  in  the  war  of  the  Lower  Sioux 
with  the  white  people.  What  did  you  fear,  that  you  fled  and 
did  not  come  back  for  a  long  time  ?  " 

They  said,  "Indeed  we  knew  that  the  Americans  were  furious, 


88  MINNESOTA    HISrORlCAL   COLLECTIONS. 

and  therefore  we  fled.  But  now  our  Great  Father  says  we  may 
live,  and  therefore  we  have  come  back." 

I  went  with  them  to  see  the  commanding  officer  of  the  fort, 
with  whom  they  had  a  talk.  He  said  to  them,  "  The  Great 
Father  has  commanded  me  to  invite  all  the  Indians  to  come 
back  who  do  not  want  to  fight.  The  Great  Father  wishes  to 
have  no  more  fighting  ;  therefore  he  has  commanded  me  to  call 
in  all  the  Indians,  and  he  says  you  shall  do  no  more  fighting." 
To  this  they  said  "  Yes." 

Then  Great-tailed  Eagle,  one  of  the  Dakota  chiefs,  stood 
up  and  said,  "  The  guns,  and  the  tobacco,  and  the  lead,  and 
the  knives  which  we  have  are  all  made  by  the  Americans.  If 
we  fight  the  Americans  we  must  use  these  things  that  we  have 
of  them,  to  fight  with.  Therefore  we  dislike  the  fighting.  By 
the  help  of  the  Americans  we  live  ;  and  we  do  not  wish  to  fight 
the  Americans  with  the  things  they  have  made.  I  desire  onty 
that  which  is  good,  and  therefore  I  have  come  to  shake  hands 
with  you  that  I  may  live." 

To  this  the  commanding  officer  replied,  "  You  have  spoken 
well.  Before  the  snow  comes,  I  will  send  your  name  to  the 
Great  Father." 

The  Hail  that  strikes  itself,  another  Dakota  chief,  said, 
"  Shall  one  who  is  a  chief  seek  what  is  bad?  I  am  a  chief,  and 
therefore  I  seek  only  the  good." 

To  this  the  officer  replied,  "  Yes,  you  speak  well.  Your 
Great  Father  seeks  only  that  which  is  good." 

After  these  words,  when  winter  was  coming  on,  another 
Dakota  chief  came  in — this  was  Scarlet  Eagle  Tail  and  his 
people.     Seven  chiefs  and  their  people  were  now  here. 

About  this  time  the  commanding  officer  employed  them  as 
scouts,  and  every  Dakota  that  they  saw,  who  came  to  the  region 
of  Fort  Wadsworth  on  the  war  path,  they  killed.  In  all  they 
killed  thirteen.  So  the  rebellion  was  stopped,  and  all  the 
people  desired  to  return  to  what  was  good. 

During  this  time  I  was  in  the  employ  of  the  military  and  had 
charge  of  carrying  the  mails.  A  letter  came  to  me  which  said, 
"We  are  going  to  Washington  ;  if  you  wish  you  shall  go  along  ; 
if  you  don't  wish  to  go  you  shall  not  go."  But  as  the  principal 
Dakota  men  were  not  going,  I  did  not  go.     I  said,  "  The  Great 


KAREATIVE  OF  PAUL  MAZAKOOTEMANE.  89 

Father  has  been  in  the  habit  of  calling  the  chief  men.  Why 
now  has  he  not  called  the  chiefs  ?  Wh}^  has  he  not  called  one 
good  man?" 

When  they  had  been  to  see  the  Great  Father  and  returned, 
I  heard  them  say  that  the  Great  Father  had  given  us  the 
country  at  the  head  of  the  Coteau.  And  I  said  to  them,  "I 
am  glad  that  our  Great  Father  has  given  us  this  country  to  be 
ours  ;  so  that  here  we  may  be  the  people  of  our  Great  Father 
— that  in  this  land  we  may  make  known  the  sacred  vjritings — 
that  every  one  of  us  us  may  have  our  own  sacred  book — that 
each  man  may  have  one  wife — and  that  we  may  cease  to  hold 
the  Dakota  customs,  but  each  one  marr}^  his  wife,  and  thus  the 
sacred  brother-hood  may  grow." 

I  thought  they  all  desired  this.  Moreover  while  I  was  absent 
the  Dakotas  all  came  together  and  said,  "  Since  we  desire  to 
have  a  good  community,  we  will  make  a  good  and  believing 
man  head  chief."  They  said  the}'  would  elect  him  for  two 
years,  and  if  he  did  well  he  should  remain,  in  for  four  years. 
But  if  he  did  not  well  they  would  put  him  out,  although  he 
had  not  been  in  one  year.  On  this  platform  they  chose  Simon 
Anawanymane. 

Then  Bishop  Whipple  and  Dr.  Daniels  came  up  with  provi- 
sions and  clothing.  The  Dakota  people  were  glad.  At  that 
time  HuPACOKAMAZA,  one  of  the  chiefs,  stood  up  and  said, 
"  We  Dakotas  have  made  a  head  chief,  of  which  I  tell  you." 
But  the  Bishop  said,  "  No,  I  will  talk  with  the  one  whom  your 
Great  Father  has  made  chief." 

The  Dakotas  wondered  who  it  was  he  meant.  Then  Gabriel 
Renville  stood  up  and  talked  with  him.  But  the  Dakota  men 
said,  "  We  are  Dakotas,  and  it  is  not  fit  that  a  white  man 
should  be  our  chief.  We  want  to  have  a  chief  from  among 
ourselves.  The  Americans  are  wise — wh}^  did  they  do  this 
without  our  knowledge  ?  Behind  Gabriel  Renville  there  are 
four  others  who  were  made  chiefs.  Why  did  the  Americans  do 
this  without  our  consent  ?  "     I  heard  these  things  said.  - 

Then  the  blankets  were  given  out.    But  to  a  part  they  gave 

no  blankets.     They  gave  only  to  those  who  had  cut  timber. 

And  when  to  only  a  part  of  the  people  provisions  were  given 

by  the  braves,  the  sacred  man  said,  *'  I  have  mercy  upon  them 

12 


90  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECl'IONS. 

and  will  give  them  a  portion."  But  then  four  Dakota  head 
men  said,  "  These  provisions  are  ours,  and  we  alone  will  have 
them."  Then  the  sacred  man's  heart  was  sad.  When  he  saw 
the  poverty  and  want  of  the  Dakotas  his  heart  was  sad. 

My  heart  also  was  sad  on  this  account ;  and  when  I  con- 
sidered the  hard  times  they  would  meet  with  this  winter,  and 
with  what  difficulty  they  would  reach  the  spring,  I  went  into 
their  assembly  and  talked  to  them.  I  said,  "  The  sacred  man 
was  merciful,  but  you  did  not  do  well.  As  the  holy  Jesus 
came  to  this  earth  and  was  merciful,  so  it  is  good  that  all  men 
should  have  mercy  one  upon  another.  But  you  have  not  done 
well.  Nevertheless,  trust  in  the  great  God.  If  our  Great 
Father  gives  the  Dakotas  only  what  he  has  sent  by  the  hands 
of  Bishop  Whipple,  he  will  have  done  well.  But  the  Dakota 
chiefs  have  not  done  well.     This  I  know." 

And  now  my  friends  of  the  great  American  people,  I  am 
fifty-eight  years  old  when  I  write  this  which  you  hear. 

My  friends  of  the  Great  Nation,  one  and  all,  I  shake  hands 
with  you. 

Paul. 

March  19,  1869. 


MEMOIR  OF  EX-GOV.  HENRY  A.  SWIFT. 


BY  J.  F.  W. 


Henrt  Adoniram  Swift  was  born  in  Ravenna,  Ohio,  March 
23,  1823,  and  was  the  second  son  of  Dr.  Isaac  Swift  and 
Mrs.  Eliza  (Thompson)  Swift,  both  of  whom  were  among  the 
early  settlers  of  Ohio.  The  former,  who  has  now  reached  the 
venerable  age  of  eighty  years,  was  a  native  of  Cornwall,  Litch- 
field County,  Conn.,  and  came  to  Ohio  in  1815.  Mrs.  Swift 
was  born  in  Stockbridge,  Mass.,  and  came  to  Ohio  with  her 
parents  in  1814.  The  youth  of  Ex-Gov.  Swift  was  one  of 
unusual  promise,  which  was  well  fulfilled  by  his  maturer  years. 
After  a  course  of  academic  study,  he  entered  Western  Reserve 
College,  at  Hudson,  O.,  and  graduated  about  the  j^ear  1842, 
with  high  honors  in  his  class.  He  spent  the  next  winter  in 
Mississippi,  as  a  teacher.  The  events  of  his  residence  in  that 
State  were  such  as  to  give  him  an  abhorrence  for  the  "accursed 
institution,"  and  ever  afterwards  during  his  life  he  conscien- 
tiously labored  for  its  overthrow.  Indeed,  at  one  time  he 
became  obnoxious  to  parties  in  the  neighborhood  on  account  of 
his  free-soil  views,  and  his  life  was  threatened,  but  he  returned 
safely  to  his  former  home.  He  at  once  began  the  study  of  law 
in  the  office  of  Messrs.  Tilden  &  Ranney,  Ravenna,  and  in 
October,  1845,  was  admitted  to  practice.  The  winter  of  1846-7 
he  passed  at  Columbus,  as  Assistant  Clerk  of  the  House  of 
Representatives.  The  succeeding  winters  of  1847-8  and  1848-9 
he  also  passed  at  Columbus,  being  chosen  Chief  Clerk  of  the 
House,  for  the  sessions  of  those  years.  In  this  position  he 
acquitted  himself  well,  and  especially  during  the  protracted 
dead-lock  in  the  House  at  the  opening  of  the  Session  of  Decern 


92  MINNESOTA   ETSTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

ber,  1848,  over  the  election  of  speaker,  an  important  and 
delicate  duty  devolved  upon  the  clerk,  and  in  this  matter  that 
officer  so  bore  himself  as  to  receive  the  approbation  and  confi- 
dence of  the  entire  body. 

In  September,  1851,  Mr.  Swift  was  married  to  Miss  Ruth 
Livingston,  of  Gettysburg,  Pa.  He  now  demoted  his  time 
assiduously  to  his  profession,  and  the  affairs  of  the  Portage 
Farmer's  Insurance  Company,  of  which  he  was  secretary.  In 
1863,  however,  feeling  anxious  to  have  a  more  extended  field 
for  his  abilities,  he  resolved  to  emigrate  to  Minnesota.  Placing 
all  his  worldly  effects  upon  a  steamboat  at  Pittsburg,  with  his 
wife  and  infant  daughter,  he  made  the  entire  trip  by  river, 
landing  at  St.  Paul,  then  a  toWn  of  a  few  hundred  inhabitants, 
early  in  the  spring  of  1853.  Here  he  at  once  opened  an  office 
as  a  real  estate  and  insurance  agent,  and  soon  after  built  a  resi- 
dence on  College  Avenue,  now  occupied  by  E.  S.  Edgerton,  Esq. 

He  remained  a  resident  of  St.  Paul  about  three  years, 
devoting  all  his  abilities  in  various  ways  to  the  good  of  the 
young  commonwealth  in  which  he  had  made  his  home.  In 
1856  he  sold  his  St.  Paul  property  and  invested  his  means  in 
the  *'  Saint  Peter  Company,"  which  had  laid  out  a  new  town  of 
that  name,  then  coming  into  notice,  though  as  yet  almost  with- 
out population.  The  town  grew  very  rapidly  during  the  next 
two  years,  however,  and  his  investments  proved  quite  profitable. 
The  crash  of  1857  alirfost  wrecked  him,  (as  it  did  all  other 
extensive  land  owners,)  but  by  prudent  management  he  finally 
recovered  from  the  shock,  and  before  his  death  had  again  placed 
himself  in  easy  circumstances.  The  early  years  of  his  residence 
at  St.  Peter  were  years  of  hardship  and  privation  incident  to 
frontier  life,  but  he  bore  them  all  patiently.  He  threw  his 
whole  energy  into  the  task  of  building  up  and  benefitting  the 
town  hi  every  way  possible,  and  lived  to  see  it  grow  from  the 
little  hamlet  to  a  flourishing  busy  city,  and  himself  become 
almost  "  the  idol  of  the  community,"  so  universally  was  he 
beloved  and  esteemed. 

Gov.  Swift  first  came  prominently  before  the  people  of 
Minnesota  in  the  fall  of  1857,  when  he  was  a  candidate  for 
Congress,  during  a  heated  and  exciting  canvass.  He  appeared 
frequently  on  the  stump,  and  gained  much  admiration   even 


MEMOIR    OF    EX-GOV.    HENRY   A.    SWIFT.  93 

from  his  opponents,  for  his  clear  and  comprehensive  statements 
of  the  political  issues  of  the  hour,  and  his  fair,  candid,  and 
dignified  treatment  of  the  opposite  party.  In  debate  he  was 
eloquent,  logical,  and  conclusive,  despising  all  clap-trap  and 
the  usual  tricks  of  demagoguery.  Gov.  Swift's  party  were  not 
successful  in  the  campaign,  but  he  won  the  respect  of  all  who 
met  him,  and  stood  higher  at  its  close  than  before. 

In  the  fall  of  1861,  Gov.  Swift  was  elected  from  his  district 
a  member  of  the  State  Senate,  and  served  during  the  two 
sessions  of  1862  and  1863.  One  who  was  associated  with  him 
as  a  fellow  member  says :  "  He  was  always  courteous,  genial, 
and  manly — as  careful  of  the  rights  of  others  as  he  was  jealous 
of  his  own.  He  never  addressed  the  Senate,  except  when 
important  matters  were  under  discussion,  but  then  his  matter 
and  manner  impressed  every  listener  with  a  profound  conviction 
of  his  earnestness."  Most  acceptably  and  ably  he  represented 
his  district  during  these  two  sessions,  and  not  the  peoi»lo  of  his 
district  merely,  but  of  the  whole  State,  for  he  ever  labored 
faithfully  for  its  welfare,  and  many  of  the  measures  of  those 
sessions  bear  the  impress  of  his  watchful  care  and  anxiety  to 
advance  the  prosperity  of  the  State. 

W4ien  the  terrible  news  of  the  Indian  massacre  reached  St. 
Peter,  on  Aug.  18,  1862,  Gov.  Swift  was  one  of  the  party  that 
promptly  formed  and  marched  to  the  relief  of  the  town  of  New 
Ulm,  about  30  miles  distant.  They  arrived  there  the  next  day 
about  noon,  in  time  to  repulse  the  Indians  after  a  hot  action. 
Gov.  Swift  was  also  in  the  battle  of  Aug.  23d,  and  acted  with 
conspicuous  coolness  and  bravery.  Mr.  Bryant  says,  in  his 
History  of  the  Massacre  : 

"At  one  time  H.  A.  Swift  went  up  on  the  side  of  the  first 
table  land  adjoining  the  town,  to  make  observations,  when  he 
was  fired  upon  from  a  log  building  only  a  few  rods  off",  which 
was  full  of  Indians.  He  instantly  dropped  down  behind  a 
slight  elevation  of  ground.  While  lying  there,  Indian  balls 
plowed  up  the  ground  all  around  him.  During  this  time  Judge 
Flandrau  and  S.  A.  Buell  came  dashing  up  on  horseback, 
and  but  for  the  timely  warning  of  Mr.  Swift,  both  would,  un- 
doubtedly, have  been  shot,  as  they  were  not  aware  of  the  near 
proximity  of  the  savages." 


94  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

He  remained  in  the  town  doing  what  he  could  for  its  defence, 
until  it  was  abandoned,  and  all  the  inhabitants  and  property 
removed.  He  was  everywhere  active  in  assisting  the  poor 
fugitives  who  had  fled  from  the  murderous  savages  and  sought 
refuge  in  the  town — many  of  them  wounded  and  sick,  and  to 
the  wants  of  the  latter  he  personally  ministered,  assisting  the 
needy  liberally  from  his  own  purse.  One  who  knew  him  well 
has  written :  "He  shouldered  his  musket  and  took  his  turn  at 
guard  duty  at  night  in  the  midst  of  rain  and  exposure  to  which 
he  was  wholly  unaccustomed.  It  brought  upon  him  a  disease, 
from  the  effects  of  which  his  delicate  constitution  never  re- 
covered. He  sacrificed  his  life  for  others,  and  is  as  truly  a 
victim  of  the  Sioux  War,  as  if  he  had  fallen  before  an  Indian 
bullet  in  the  battle  of  New  Ulm." 

During  the  second  term  of  his  service  in  the  State  Senate, 
Lieutenant-Governor  Donnelly  resigned  his  seat,  having  been 
elected  Congressman,  his  term  commencing  March  4th,  1863. 
On  March  5th,  Gov,  Swift  was  elected  by  the  Senate  to  fill  the 
vacancy.  Gov.  Alex.  Ramsey  having  been  elected  as  U.  S. 
Senator  during  the  same  session,  resigned  the  Governorship 
during  the  following  month,  and  Gov.  Swift  being  his  legal 
successor,  was  installed  in  the  gubernatorial  chair,  thus  by 
rapid  promotion  assuming  the  chief  oflSce  of  the  commonwealth 
for  the  balance  of  the  term. 

The  following  summer,  when  the  matter  of  the  incumbent  of 
the  next  term  was  agitated,  he  was  strongly  urged  to  accept 
the  nomination.  This  he  firmly  declined  to  do,  as  it  would 
require  either  a  protracted  absence  from  his  domestic  circle, 
which  he  loved  so  well,  or  a  residence  in  St.  Paul,  for  which 
the  salary  of  Governor  was  inadequate.  He  did,  however,  at 
the  solicitation  of  his  fellow  citizens  of  St.  Peter,  consent  to 
run  again  for  Senator  from  that  district,  and  was  re-elected  for 
the  sessions  of  1864  and  1865,  both  of  which  he  attended,  and 
"  did  the  State  some  service  "  on  important  and  responsible 
committees. 

During  the  session  of  1865,  a  United  States  Senator  was 
chosen,  and  Ex-Gov.  Swift  was  urged  to  be  a  candidate  for  this 
position,  but  with  his  instinctive  delicacy  and  modesty,  he 
shrank  from  entering  the  lists,  as  he  knew  there  were  many 


MEMOIR   OF    EX-GOV.    HENRY    A.    SWlt^.  95, 

unpleasant  duties  connected  with  thie  position  in  the  scramble 
for  office  where  he  would  be  expected  to  satisfy  all,  and  only 
incur  the  enmity  of  many.  He  finally  yielded  to  the  impor- 
tunities of  his  friends,  and  but  a  few  days  before  the  nominat- 
ing caucus  consented  to  the  use  of  his  name,  but  even  then  put 
forth  no  efforts  on  his  own  behalf.  Another  person,  however, 
was  chosen.  It  has  always  been  conceded  that  had  he  made 
any  effort  to  secure  the  office,  he  would  have  been  elected. 
Speaking  of  it  to  a  friend  subsequently,  he  said  he  was  gl,ad  he 
was  not  elected,  "  for,"  he  continued,  "  I  shall  be  ten  times 
happier  with  my  family  at  St.  Peter,  than  as  Senator  at  Wash- 
ington." Perhaps  there  never  was  a  man  more  tenderly  or  de- 
votedly attached  to  his  family  than  Gov.  Swift,  and  the  above 
is  only  an  instance  of  the  sacrifices  he  made  that  he  might  not 
be  compelled  to  forego  their  society. 

During  the  year  1865  he  received  the  appointment  of  Regis- 
ter at  the  St.  Peter  Land  Office,  which  position  he  held  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  The  appointment  was  entirely  unsolicited, 
but  it  was  the  only  public  position  he  ever  really  enjoyed,  as  it 
enabled  him  to  remain  in  that  quiet  home  that  to  him  was  the 
Eden  of  Earth. 

In  1864  he  had  lost  a  daughter  of  eight  years,  and  a  son  of 
four  years,  and  in  1866,  another  child  was  snatched  away. 
These  bereavements  afflicted  him  deeply,  as  he  was  tenderly 
attached  to  his  children.  His  friends  assert  that  it  cast  an  in- 
etfacable  shadow  upon  his  life,  and  probably  added  to  his  dis- 
like of  public  office,  or  any  position  that  would  deprive  him  of 
the  society  of  his  wife  and  two  remaining  daughters  who  sur- 
vive him.     On  them  his  whole  affections  now  centered. 

In  February  last,  he  was  taken  very  ill  with  typhoid  fever, 
and  for  some  days  his  life  was  threatened.  He  then  seemed  to 
rally,  and  it  was  thought  had  passed  the  critical  point  and 
would  recover.  His  friends  throughout  the  State  received  this 
intelligence  with  much  joy.  It  was  of  brief  duration,  however. 
On  the  evening  of  Wednesday,  February  24,  he  suffered  -a  re- 
lapse, and  rapidly  grew  worse  until  ten  o'clock  the  next  morn- 
ing, when  he  peacefully  and  calmly  expired,  surrounded  by  his 
heart-broken  family  and  friends. 

The  intelligence  of  his  death  was  received  throughout  the 


96  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

State  with  universal  tokens  of  sorrow,  evincing  the  high  respect 
felt  for  him  by  men  of  all  parties,  and  eulogies  of  the  warmest 
character  were  published  in  almost  every  Minnesota  journal. 
Perhaps  never  has  the  death  of  a  citizen  of  our  State  excited 
more  general  regret,  or  called  forth  more  spontaneous  tributes 
to  his  past  life  and  character.  Governor  Marshall,  on  Feb- 
ruary 25th,  promptly  transmitted  to  both  houses  of  the  Legis- 
lature, a  copy  of  the  telegram  received  by  him  announcing  Ex- 
Gov.  Swift's  death,  whereupon  both  houses  at  once  adjourned, 
as  a  token  of  respect  to  his  memory.  On  the  26th,  Gov. 
Marshall  ^ent  in  the  following  message  : 

State  of  Minnesota,  Executive  Department, 
Saint  Paul,  February  26, 1869. 
To  the  Senate  and  House  of  Bepresentativea : 

A  brief  telegram  transmitted  to  you  yesterday  conveyed  the  sorrowful  news 
of  the  death  of  Ex-Governor  Henry  A.  Swift,  which  occured  at  his  home  in 
St.  Peter,  Thursday  morning,  the  25th  instant. 

No  such  sad  and  painful  duty  has  before  fallen  to  me,  during  my  public 
service,  as  this  announcement  of  the  death  of  one  who  had  so  honorably  oc- 
cupied the  highest  oflSce  in  the  State,  and  who  was  respected  and  beloved  by 
our  whole  people. 

The  death  of  Governor  Swift  is  indeed  a  public  loss,  and  it  is  fitting  that 
you  should,  by  appropriate  official  action,  testify  the  public  sorrow.  Pos- 
sessed as  he  was  of  rare  capacity  for  public  usefulness  and  of  eminent  public 
virtues,  it  was  not  too  much  to  hope  that  in  the  coming  years— for  he  had 
scarcely  reached  the  meridian  of  life— his  mature  powers  would  be  of  fur- 
ther eminent  service  to  the  State. 

This  profoundly  affiictive  providence  falls  with  crushing  weight  upon  the 
family  of  the  deceased.  While  our  sorroxo  is  that  of  the  public,  mourning  the 
loss  of  one  who  had  been  eminent  In  the  public  service,  and  whom  many  of 
us  had  loved  as  a  personal  friend,  it  is  to  his  wife  and  children  an  altogether 
irreparable  and  life-overshadowing  loss.  I  know  it  will  be  your  wish  to 
testify  to  those  sorrowing  ones,  who  were  nearest  and  dearest  to  the  depart- 
ed, the  public  appreciation  of  their  loss,  in  such  terms  as  may  possibly  miti- 
gate, in  some  slight  degree,  the  grief  which  God  alone  can  assuage. 

I  recommend  the  joint  action  of  the  two  houses  of  the  Legislature  in  honor 
of  the  memory  of  the  deceased,  and  in  condolence  with  his  afllicted  family. 

RespectfuUy, 

Wm.  R.  Marshall. 

The  following  concurrent  resolutions  were,  on  March  1st, 

adopted  by  both  bodies  : 

Beaolved,  By  the  Senate,  the  House  of  Representatives  concurring.  That 
this  Legislature  has  heard  with  profound  sorrow  of  the  death  of  Ex-Governor 
Henry  A.  Swift,  notice  of  which  event  has  been  communicated  by  a  special 
message  of  his  Excellency  the  Governor  of  this  State. 

Resolved,  That  by  this  dispensation,  the  State  has  lost  a  useful  and  honoi'ed 
citizen,  whose  life  was  without  guile,  and  whose  public  and  private  career 
was  iUustrated  and  adorned  by  every  manly  virtue,  his  past  services  consti- 
tute a  bright  chapter  in  the  history  of  the  State,  and  gave  promise  of  still 


MEMOIR    OF    EX-GO V.    HENRY    A.    SWIFT.  97 

greater  usetulness  to  the  public  service,  and  of  higher  honors  in  a  wider 
and  more  extended  sphere  of  action. 

Resolved,  Tliat  this  Legislature  tenders  to  the  family  and  friends  of  the 
deceased,  its  sympathy  and  condolence  in  this  hour  of  their  supreme  afflic- 
tion, and  conveys  to  them  the  assurance  that  while  they  mourn  the  loss  of 
a  tender  husband,  an  affectionate  father,  and  a  constant  friend,  the  State 
regards  his  death  in  the  midst  of  his  years  and  at  the  maturity  of  his 
powers,  as  a  great  public  calamity,  and  will  ever  cherish  the  memory  of 
Henry  A.  Swift  as  one  of  the  most  honored,  trusted,  and  useful  servants 
of  the  commonwealth. 

Resolved,  That  the  resolutions  be  entered  upon  the  journal  of  either  house 
of  the  Legislature,  and  that  a  copy  of  the  same  be  sent  to  the  widow  of  the 
deceased,  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Senate. 

In  his  own  commnnity,  where  he  was  so  well  known  and  so 
universally  and  warmly  beloved,  his  death  produced  a  sadness 
that  seemed  to  indicate  that  some  calamity  had  befallen  the 
town.  Indeed,  it  was  so  regarded  by  all,  as  for  years  the 
deceased  had  been  so  active  and  prominent  in  every  measure 
for  the  prosperity  of  the  place,  all  classes  felt  they  had  lost  a 
friend.  On  the  day  of  his  funeral,  which  took  place  on  Feb.  26, 
all  business  was  suspended,  and  the  public  schools  closed. 
Notwithstanding  it  was  one  of  the  severest  days  of  the  winter, 
almost  the  entire  community  attended  his  obsequies,  which  were 
held  at  his  late  residence.  Rev.  A.  H.  Kerr  read  a  touching 
tribute  to  his  virtues,  which  all  present  felt  to  be  true  and  more 
than  deserved.  The  aged  parents  of  Gov.  Swift,  who  had 
arrived  that  morning  from  their  distant  home,  were  in  atten- 
dance, almost  prostrated  with  grief.  The  scene  at  parting 
with  the  remains  was  one  that  brought  tears  to  the  eyes  of  all 
present.  The  remains  were  then  borne  to  their  last  resting- 
place,  in  a  beautiful  grove  near  his  own  residence,  and  side  by 
side  with  the  graves  of  his  children,  under  the  evergreens  which 
he  had  planted  with  his  own  hands.^ 

The  memory  of  Ex-Gov.  Swift  must  always  be  respected  by 
the  people  of  the  State  for  his  integrity  and  fidelity  as  a  public 
officer,  his  exemplary  and  upright  conduct  as  a  citizen,  and  his 
many  rare,  social,  and  personal  excellencies  of  character.  Not 
a  breath  of  detraction  ever  sullied  his  reputation.  He  was 
unambitious  and  unselfish  in  everything,  with  a  natural  reserve 
and  modesty  that  seemed  almost  to  shrink  from  public  gaze. 

1.    Since  the  above  memoir  was  written,  the  remains  of  Gov.  Swift  and 
his  children  have  been  removed  to  Ohio,  and  deposited  In  a  cemetery  at 
Ravenna,  by  request  of  his  parents. 
13 


98  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

His  high  sense  of  honor  was  manifest  in  all  his  public  and 
private  dealings.  In  him  the  domestic  virtues  excelled.  As  a 
friend  he  was  ever  generous,  warm-hearted,  and  true.  As  a 
business  man  prompt  and  energetic.  In  his  character  all  these 
virtues  were  so  blended  and  harmonized,  as  to  make  a  man 
"  of  rare  mould."  His  whole  life  affords  a  noble  example  to 
the  young  men  of  the  State. 

Ex-Gov.  Swift  was  a  member  of  the  Minnesota  Historical 
Society,  and  one  of  the  Executive  Council  of  1864-5-6.  He 
always  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  success  of  the  Society,  aiding 
it  whenever  in  his  power.  His  death  was  appropriately  noticed 
at  the  meeting  on  March  8th,  and  at  a  subsequent  meeting 
resolutions  to  his  memory  adopted. 


SKETCH  OF  JOHN  OTHER  DAY. 


BY  GEN.  H.  H.  SIBLEY. 


Ampe-tu-to-kit-chah,  or  Other  Day,  whose  death  was 
announced  in  the  newspapers  as  having  occurred  in  the  hos- 
pital at  Fort  Wadsworth,  Dakota  Territory,  on  the  30th  day  of 
October,  1869,  was  the  son  of  Zit-kah-doo-tah,  or  Red  Bird,  a 
Wakpaton  Dakota  or  Sioux  Indian,  who  was  noted  among  his 
people  as  a  war  partizan.  Red  Bird  was  a  brother  of  Big 
Curly,  formerly  chief  of  the  Wakpaton  Band,  whose  village 
was  at  Lac  qui  Parle  on  the  Upper  Minnesota  River. 

Other  Day  was  about  fifty  years  old  when  he  died.  He  had 
been  distinguished  as  a  hunter,  and  was  classed  by  the  fur 
traders  among  those  who  could  safely  be  trusted  when  goods 
were  given  out  on  credit  to  those  Indians  who  were  considered 
reliable  and  honest.  When  a  young  man  he  was  passionate 
and  revengeful,  and  withal  addicted  to  intemperance  as  often 
as  ardent  spirits  could  be  obtained,  and  he  lived  to  lament  that 
he  had  slain  three  or  four  of  his  fellows  in  his  drunken  orgies. 
In  fact  he  was  a  determined  and  desperate  man,  although  gen- 
erous to  a  fault  in  his  better  moods  ;  and  previous  to  his  con- 
version to  Christianity,  with  no  sense  of  moral  obligation  to 
restrain  the  exhibitions  of  his  wild  and  wayward  temper,  he  was 
an  object  of  fear  rather  than  of  love  to  those  with  whom  he  was 
brought  in  contact.  Nevertheless  he  was  capable  of  the  same 
heroic  devotion  to  his  red  brethren  at  times,  as  he  afterwards 
manifested  to  the  whites,  having  on  one  occasion  borne  from 
the  field  of  battle  with  the  Chippewas  on  the  St.  Croix  River, 
One-legged  Jim,  well  known  to  the  old  settlers,  who  was  so 
desperately  wounded  that  he  was  unable  to  escape.     He  also 


100  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

saved  the  life  of  an  Indian  named  Fresniere's  son  in  the  same 
action,  but  he  partially  cancelled  the  obligation  subsequently, 
by  biting  off  a  portion  of  the  nose  of  the  same  individual  in  a 
drunken  frolic. 

With  that  independence  which  was  characteristic  of  the 
man,  Other  Day  was  among  the  first  of  his  band  to  adopt  the 
habits  and  dress  of  the  whites,  a  step  which  met  with  bitter 
opposition  from  Little  Crow,  who  was  the  leader  of  the  pagan 
Indians,  and  exerted  all  his  influence  to  the  last  to  thwart  mis- 
sionary operations  and  to  prevent  any  innovation  upon  the  es- 
tablished customs  and  superstitious  observances  of  the  Dakotas. 
The  decided  attitude  assumed  by  so  prominent  a  person  as 
Other  Day,  produced  a  most  salutary  impression,  insomuch 
that  many  of  the  young  men  followed  his  example,  submitted 
to  receive  religious  instruction  from  the  missionaries,  and  aban- 
doning to  a  great  extent  the  precarious  occupation  of  the  chase, 
they  applied  themselves  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil. 

Subsequent  to  the  massacre  at  Spirit  Lake  by  Ink-pah-doo- 
tah's  band  of  Sioux,  Other  Day  manifested  his  attachment  to 
the  whites  by  accompanying  the  government  forces  in  pursuit 
of  the  murderers,  one  of  whom,  a  son  of  the  chief,  he  killed 
with  his  own  hand.  He  volunteered,  with  two  other  friendly 
Indians,  to  attempt  the  ransom  of  Miss  Gardner,  who  was 
held  captive  by  Ink-pah-doo-tah's  people,  and  they  succeeded 
in  effecting  her  release  by  the  exercise  of  courage  and  tact,  for 
which  the  trio  received  high  commendation. 

At  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  1862,  Other  Day  resided  on 
the  reservation  near  the  Minnesota  River,  in  a  comfortable 
dwelling  built  by  the  U..  S.  Indian  Agent,  in  accordance  with 
treaty  stipulations,  and  he  had  quite  a  creditable  amount  of 
land  well  fenced,  and  good  crops  of  corn  and  potatoes.  When 
information  reached  him  that  the  Indians  at  the  Lower  Agenc}^ 
were  engaged  in  the  indiscriminate  murder  of  the  whites  at  that 
point,  he  took  instant  measures  to  save  the  lives  of  the  mis- 
sionaries and  other  whites  within  his  reach.  By  his  advice 
they  assembled  together  without  delay,  to  the  number  of  sixty- 
two  men,  women  and  children,  and  leaving  all  their  property 
to  the  mercy  of  the  savages,  they  were  conducted  by  their 
heroic  guide  through  unfrequented  routes  to  a  place  of  safety 


SKETCH  OP  JOHN  OTHER  DAt.  iCl 

within  the  settlements,  a  distance  of  more  than  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles.  There  was  of  necessity,  much  suffering  among 
the  young  and  feeble  from  exposure  and  want  of  proper  food 
during  the  long  and  toilsome  march.  The  self-sacrificing  devo- 
tion of  Other  Day  in  rescuing  so  many  lives  from  impending 
destruction,  was  the  more  signal  and  remarkable,  when  one 
takes  into  account  the  certainty  that  his  action  in  that  regard 
would  be  followed  by  the  loss  of  all  his  worldly  possessions. 
His  house,  with  all  its  contents,  was  soon  after  burned  by  the 
enraged  savages,  and  he  was  but  poorly  remunerated  by  the 
appropriation  of  $2,500  for  his  benefit  by  Congress  at  its  next 
session.  Like  many  others  who  showed  their  friendship  to  our 
government  and  people  during  the  fearful  scenes  of  1862,  by 
the  performance  of  brave  deeds  against  their  own  kindred  in 
battle,  Other  Day  was  left  without  any  adequate  provision  for 
his  own  support  and  that  of  his  family,  in  fact,  his  widow,  a 
white  woman,  is  now  destitute  of  the  necessaries  of  life  at  her 
home,  on  the  reservation  near  Fort  Wadsworth. 

During  the  campaign  of  1862,  Other  Day  was  employed  by 
me  as  a  scout,  and  he  rendered  good  service  in  that  capacity, 
as  I  advanced  with  my  column  of  troops  in  search  of  the  hostile 
Indians.  At  the  crossing  of  the  Red  Wood  River,  Other  Day 
being  some  distance  to  the  front,  dismounted  from  his  horse 
to  examine  the  inside  of  a  deserted  house.  After  gratifying 
his  curiosity,  he  issued  from  the  building  just  in  time  to  per- 
ceive his  horse,  bestrode  by  two  savages,  disappearing  in  the 
woods.  He  fired  an  ineffectual  shot  at  the  daring  thieves,  and 
rejoined  the  command  on  foot,  in  a  very  unenviable  state  of 
mind.  I  remarked  to  him,  that  I  little  expected  any  of  my 
chosen  scouts  to  allow  themselves  to  be  outwitted  as  he  had 
been,  and  the  quiet  rebuke  mortified  him  exceedingly,  but  he 
said  he  deserved  it,  and  would  endeavor  to  regain  my  good 
opinion  whenever  opportunity  should  offer.  The  pledge  was 
promptly  redeemed,  for  at  the  battle  of  Wood  Lake,  a  few  days 
afterwards,  which  broke  the  power  of  the  enemy,  Other  Day 
was  conspicuous  for  his  daring,  and  incurred  great  danger,  not 
only  from  the  fire  of  the  savages,  but  from  our  own  troops, 
who  repeatedly  discharged  their  muskets  at  him,  mistaking 
him  for  one  of  the  hostile  Indians.    He  brought  to  me,  with  a 


102  MINNESOTA   HISrOtllCAL   COLLECTIONS. 

triumphant  air,  two  horses  which  he  had  taken  during  the 
action. 

With  the  money  he  received  from  the  government,  Other 
Day  purchased  a  farm,  a  few  miles  distant  from  Henderson,  in 
Sibley  county,  where  he  resided  for  three  or  four  years,  but  his 
knowledge  of  husbandry  was  too  limited  to  enable  him  to  suc- 
ceed unaided.  He  finally  sold  his  land  at  a  sacrifice,  and 
removed  to  the  Sisseton  and  Wakpaton  reservation,  a  few  miles 
from  Fort  Wads  worth,  where  the  U.  S.  Agent,  Major  Thompson, 
kindly  built  for  him  a  commodious  log  house.  The  pre-dispo- 
sition  to  pulmonary  aftections,  so  common  among  the  aborig- 
ines of  the  Northwest,  developed  itself  in  him  more  than  a  year 
prior  to  his  decease,  and  during  the  last  summer  he  continued 
to  decline  in  health,  until  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  procure 
for  him  admission  into  the  hospital  at  the  Fort,  if  practicable. 
Fortunately,  the  warm  intercession  of  the  agent  was  successful 
in  obtaining  the  requisite  permit,  and  the  subject  of  this  memoir 
was  speedily  transported  to  the  hospital,  where  he  was  placed 
under  the  professional  care  of  Surgeon  Knickerbocker,  of  the 
army,  who  exhausted  all  the  resources  of  medical  skill  to  pro- 
long his  life.  But  consumption  was  too  firmly  fixed  to  be  ar- 
rested, and  Other  Day  died  from  hemorrhage  on  the  day  before 
stated,  his  wife  and  many  sympathising  friends  being  present 
at  his  bedside.  He  met  his  fate  calmly  and  without  apprehen- 
sion. Christianity  had  transformed  him  from  a  wild  and  blood- 
thirsty savage  into  a  sincere  and  humble  believer.  Other  Day 
has  gone  to  his  reward,  and  we  may  indulge  the  confident  hope, 
that  after  a  long  and  eventful  life,  marked  with  much  of  both 
good  and  evil,  he  has  been  received  into  the  rest  of  that  Saviour 
in  whom  he  had  placed  his  trust. 

I  am  happy  to  acknowledge  mj^  obligations  to  Major  Forbes, 
Major  Thompson  and  Dr.  Daniels,  for  materials  furnished  by 
them  in  the  preparation  of  this  memoir. 

St.  Paul,  January  21th,  1870. 


A  COINCIDENCE 

BY  MRS.  CHARLOTTE  O.  VAN  CLEVE. 


"  Backward !   turn  backward,  Oh  Time !   in  thy  flight, 
.  •    Make  me  a  child  again,  just  for  to-night." 

Take  me  to  my  early  home  at  Fort  Snelling,  and  help  me 
to  live  over  again  that  happy  time  when  I  knew  nothing  of  care 
and  sorrow,  and  when  the  sight  of  the  dear  old  flag,  run  up 
each  morning,  to  the  roll  of  the  drum,  and  the  sentinels'  call  at 
night,  ^''AlVs  well  around,"  made  me  feel  secure,  and  at  home, 
even  in  what  was  then  a  wilderness. 

Many  pleasant  scenes,  and  many  startling  ones,  come  at  my 
call.  Some  are  more  vivid  than  others,  and  perhaps  the  very 
first  distinct  remembrance  is  the  arrival  of  the  fii-st  steam- 
boat.^ 

It  had  been  talked  of  and  expected  for  a  long  time ;  it  is  hard 
to  realize  in  this  age  of  rapid  travelling  how  much  interested 
and  excited  every  one  felt  in  anticipation  of  what  was  then  a 
great  event.  It  was  to  bring  us  into  more  direct  and  easy 
communication  with  the  world,  and  small  wonder  that  the 
prospect  of  being  at  the  head  of  steamboat  navigation  should 
have  caused  excitement  and  rejoicing  to  those  who  had  been 
receiving  their  mails  at  intervals  of  months  instead  of  hours. 

To  me  of  course,  child  that  I  was,  it  only  meant  a  sight 
never  before  witnessed,  a  something  heard  of  and  seen  in  pic- 
tures, but  never  realized.  But  even  we  children  felt  in  listen- 
ing to  our  elders,  that  something  great  was  about  to  happen. 

1.  The  Virginia,  commanded  by  Capt.  Crawford,  was  the  first  steamboat 
which  arrived  at  Fort  Snelling.  The  exact  date  was  May  10, 1823.  The  Vir- 
ginia was  118  feet  in  length  and  22  in  width.  Among  her  passengers  was  the 
Italian  refugee  and  traveller,  Beltrami.— W. 


104  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAX   COLLECTIONS. 

At  last  one  bright  summer  morning,  when  amusing  myself 
on  the  piazza  in  the  rear  of  the  officers*  quarters,  there  came  a 
sound,  new  and  very  strange  !  All  listened  a  moment  in  awe 
and  gratitude,  and  then  broke  out  from  many  voices,  "  The 
steamboat  is  coming !  the  steamboat  is  coming  !"  And  look ! 
there  is  the  smoke  curling  gracefully  through  the  trees :  hark ! 
to  the  puffing  of  the  steam,  startling  the  echoes  from  a  sleep 
coeval  with  creation.  Now  she  rounds  the  point  and  comes 
into  full  view.  I  stand  on  tip-toe  and  strain  my  eyes,  but  can- 
not see  all  I  long  to,  until  Lieutenant  (now  General)  David 
Hunter,  my  special  favorite,  catches  me  up  and  holds  me  on 
the  balustrade  ;  and  now  I  clap  my  hands  and  almost  cry  with 
delight,  for  there  she  is,  just  landing,  in  all  her  pride  and 
beauty,  as  if  she  felt  herself  the  Pioneer  Steamboat,  and  knew 
she  would  become  historic. 

Officers  and  soldiers,  women  and  children,  are  hurrying  down 
the  hill ;  terrified  Indians  rush  from  their  wigwams  and  look  on 
in  amazement,  utterly  confounded,  refusing  to  go  near  what 
they  call,  the  ''  Bad  Spirit:'^ 

Greetings  and  congratulations  warm  and  heart-felt  are  ex- 
changed ;  and  speedily  the  mail  is  opened,  papers  and  letters 
are  distributed  ;  all  search  eagerly  for  news  from  home,  and  my 
joy  is  turned  into  grief  for  my  friend  Lieut.  Hunter,  who 


1.  In  a  communication  to  the  St.  Paul  Chromele  and  Register,  of  April  6, 1850, 
the  late  Philander  Pbescott  describes  the  fright  of  the  Indians  at  the  first 
steamboat : 

"  The  Indians  say  they  had  dreamed  of  seeing  some  monster  of  the  deep  the 
night  before,  which  frightened  them  very  much.  It  appears  they  did  not  dis- 
cover the  boat  until  it  had  got  into  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Peter's,  below  Mr. 
Sibley's.  They  stood  and  gazed  with  astonishment  at  what  they  saw  ap- 
proaching, taking  the  boat  to  be  some  angx-y  god  of  the  water,  coughing  and 
spouting  water  upwards,  sideways  and  forward.  They  had  not  courage 
enough  to  stand  until  the  boat  came  near  them.  The  women  and  children 
took  to  the  woods,  with  their  hair  floating  behind  them  in  the  breeze,  from 
the  speed  they  were  going,  in  running  from  supposed  danger.  Some  of  the 
men  had  a  little  more  courage,  and  only  moved  oflT  to  a  short  distance  from 
the  shore,  and  the  boat  passed  along  and  landed.  Everything  being  quiet  for 
a  moment,  the  Indians  came  up  to  the  boat  again,  and  stood  looking  at  the 
monster  of  the  deep.  All  at  once  the  boat  began  to  blow  off  steam,  and  the 
bravest  warriors  could  not  stand  this  awful  roaring,  but  took  to  the  woods, 
men,  women  and  children,  with  their  blankets  flying  in  the  wind ;  some 
tumbling  in  the  brush  which  entangled  their  leet  as  they  ran  away— some 
hallooing,  some  crying,  to  the  great  amusement  of  the  people  on  board  the 
s  teamboat .' '— W . 


A    COINCIDENCE.  105 

learns  by  the  very  boat,  whose  coming  he  hailed  with  so  much 
pleasure,  tliat  he  is  fatherless.  All  sympathize  deeply  with 
him  ;  few  know  how  closely  drawn  together  are  the  occupants 
of  a  frontier  post,  how,  like  one  family,  they  hear  each  other's 
griefs  and  share  each  other's  joys.  But  the  common  joy, 
although  dampened  was  not  destroyed,  and  civilities  were  ten- 
dered to  the  captain  and  officers  of  the  boat,  who  were  real 
gentlemen,  and  became  great  favorities  at  the  fort. 

They  came  again  the  next  year,  perhaps  more  than  once, 
and  pleasant  excursion  parties  on  the  boat  relieved  the  mo- 
notony of  fort  life. 

The  steamboat  was  the  topic  of  conversation  for  a  long  time. 
The  day  of  its  arrival  became  an  era  from  which  we  reckoned, 
and  those  of  the  first  occupants  of  Fort  Snelling  who  still  sur- 
vive, can  scarcely  recall  a  more  delightful  reminiscence,  than 
the  arrival  of  the  first  steamboat,  in  the  summer  of  1823. 

Years  passed  away,  childhood,  with  its  lightheartedness, 
gave  way  to  youth,  and  that  again  to  womanhood ;  and  then 
came  middle  life  with  its  many  cares,  its  griefs,  its  joys  too, 
and  its  unnumbered  mercies,  with  bright  anticipations  of  a 
blessed  rest  from  toil  and  pain, — when  on  one  pleasant  summer 
day  in  1864  I  find  myself  with  a  party  of  friends,  who  have 
come  to  visit  Fort  Snelling  and  its  many  interesting  surround- 
ings, standing  side  by  side  with  my  mother  on  the  bastion  of 
the  fort,  recalling  days  and  scenes  long  gone  by. 

Leaning  against  the  railing  and  contemplating  the  riyer,  so 
beautiful  from  that  height,  she  remarked  to  me,  "  Can  you 
remember,  my  child,  when  the  first  steamboat  came  up  this 
river?"  I  answered  **^  Yes,  oh  !  yes,  most  distinctly  do  I  remem- 
ber it."  And  then  we  talk  of  the  event  and  recall  the  many 
pleasant  things  connected  with  it ;  when  lo  !  a  whistle,  and  the 
loud  puffing  and  snorting  of  the  iron  horse !  Capt.  Newson 
standing  near  and  listening  to  our  conversation,  exclaimed, 
pointing  over  to  Mendota,  "And  there  goes  the  first  train  of  cars 
that  ever  started  out  from  Fort  Snelling !" 

Hushed  and  breathless  we  gaze  at  the  fast  vanishing  train, 
feeling,  as  we  stand  ther^,  we  two  alone,  of  all  who  saw  that 
other  great  event,  over  forty  years  ago,  like  links  connecting  the 
buried  past  with  the  living  present. 
14 


106  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

And  we  would  fain  weep,  as  we  think  of  those  who  stood  be- 
side us  then,  now  long  since  passed  away — but  living,  loving 
friends  are  about  us,  and  we  will  not  let  our  sadness  mar  their 
pleasure,  so  down  in  the  depths  of  our  hearts  we  hide  these 
tender  recollections  to  indulge  in  when  we  are  alone. 

I  look  long  at  the  beautiful  river,  and  think  as  it  ripples  and 
laughs  in  the  sun-light,  that,  could  our  ears  catch  the  language 
of  its  murmurings,  we  should  hear, 

"  Men  may  come,  and  men  may  go, 
But  I  go  on  forever." 

St.  Anthony,  1869. 


MEMOIR  OF  HON.  JAS.  W.  LYND. 


BY  REV.  S.  R.  RIGGS. 


In  compliance  with  a  request  from  the  Executive  Council  of 
the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  I  have  arranged  the  following 
imperfect  sketch  of  Mr.  Lynd. 

A  letter  from  his  father,  Rev.  S.  W.  Lynd,  now  of  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  together  with  what  appears  to  be  an  editorial  "In 
Memoriam,"  which  appeared  in  the  Louisville  Journal  of 
October,  1862,  contains  all  the  information  concerning  Mr. 
Ltnd's  early  life  that  I  have  been  able  to  obtain. 

James  W.  Lynd  was  born  on  the  ^th  of  November,  1830. 
His  father  was  Rev.  S.  W.  Lynd,  D.  D.,  an  eminent  Baptist 
clergyman.  His  birthplace  was  Baltimore,  Maryland ;  but 
afterwards  the  famil}^  removed  to  Kentucky ;  for  the  next  we 
hear  of  him  he  is  a  youth  in  Covington. 

"  There  was  nothing  peculiar  in  him  in  his  boyhood,  except 
an  obvious  love  of  the  beautiful  in  nature  and  art,  and  a  mind 
of  more  than  ordinary  delicacy  and  taste.  But  he  was  not  fond 
of  school,  and  was  at  an  early  age,  having  acquired  a  tolerable 
English  education,  placed  in  a  store,  where  he  obtained  a 
knowledge  of  business,  and  subsequently  became  a  clerk  in  the 
office  of  an  insurance  company,  with  quite  a  large  salary  for 
a  young  man  not  twenty  years  of  age,  and  with  the  promise  of 
an  annual  increase." 

Another  chronicle  says,  "Inheriting  equally  from  his  iearned 
and  now  venerable  father,  and  his  noble  and  accomplished 
mother,  a  physique  at  once  vigorous  and  refined,  and  a  native 
spirit  correspondingly  dauntless  and  susceptible,  he  was  con- 
stitutionally a  pioneer,  a  scholar,  and  a  poet." 


108  MINNESOTA    lUSTUKICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

The  following  is  given  as  a  sample  of  his  poetical  abilities  as 
developed  during  his  school  life  : 

HERODOTUS. 
The  graces  on  a  summer  day 
Were  sporting  merrily  at  play, 
When  thus,  the  sporting  o'er,  did  say 

The  fair  Euphrosyne : 
"  Sisters  mine,  sisters  mine, 

By  brook  and  bower,  dale  and  dell, 
Sisters  mine,  sisters  mine, 

I  have  a  pleasant  tale  to  tell : 
As  o'er  the  fields  I  chanced  to  stray, 
Singing  of  our  frolics  gay. 
And  tripping  softly  on  my  way. 

As  light  as  light  could  b«, 
Sisters  mine,  sisters  mine. 
What  think  you  that  I  saw, 
Beneath  the  creeping  eglantine, 

And  stately  dahlia?— 
A  youth  of  golden  locks,  and  brow 
Whiter  than  purest  crystal  snow, 
The  shady  trees  and  vines  below, 

Smilmg  in  slumber  lay ; 
His  locks  strayed  o'er  his  glowing  cheek, 
His  lips  apart  seemed  most  to  speak; 
What  did  I  to  the  blooming  Greek? 

Fair  sisters  shall  I  say  ? 
I  crowned  his  brows  with  myrtles  green, 
His  parted  lips  my  rod  between 
I  placed,  and  well  endowed  I  ween, 

The  youth  with  eloquence ; 
I  touched  the  bosom  of  the  youth, 
And  in  his  inmost  heart,  forsooth, 
Arose  that  burning  love  of  truth 

That  burns  without  pretence ; 
I  kissed  his  brow  as  he  reclined. 
And  made  him,  as  the  gods  designed, 
A  mighty  and  immortal  mind ! 

Say,  sisters,  did  I  well?" 

Of  Mr.  Lynd's  education  it  is  said  he  received  it  "  under  his 
father's  excellent  auspices."  From  his  father's  statement  it 
appears  that,  although  "  not  fond  of  school  when  a  boy,"  after 
being  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  insurance  office  for  a  year  or 
more,  he  woke  up  to  the  importance  of  learning,  and  ','  resolved 


MEMOIK    OV    HON.  JAS.  W.  LYND.  109 

to  educate  himself."  He  now  commenced  his  studies  under 
the  supervision  of  the  professors  in  the  Western  Baptist  Insti- 
tute in  Covington,  Kentucky.  "  Here  he  made  himself  quite  a 
good  Latin  scholar  and  a  mathematician."  He  excelled  especially 
in  geometry.  ''  His  professor  in  geometry  regarded  him  as 
the  best  geometrician  he  had  ever  met  with  in  his  teaching." 
This  was  not  unmeaning  praise. 

In  the  spring  of  1857, 1  think  it  was,  I  first  met  with  Mr. 
Lynd,  under  somewhat  singular  circumstances.  I  was  returning 
home  to  Ilazlewood  from  Saint  Peter,  in  the  month  of  April, 
in  company  with  Mr.  W.  W.  EllisvOn  and  his  sister.  We  found 
the  Redwood  stream  so  swollen  bj"  recent  rains  that  it  was 
impossible  to  effect  a  crossing  that  afternoon.  It  was  still  rain- 
ing and  we  had  a  fine  prospect  for  a  wet  night.  We  sought 
shelter  from  the  storm  at  the  government  mill  then  at  the  falls 
of  the  Redwood.  Sometime  after  night  "  We-ciia-ha-na-pin," — 
Raccoon  Collar^ — as  the  Dakotas  called  Mr.  Lynd,  sought  the 
same  shelter.  And  as  he  and  others  slept  in  the  loft  above,  we 
heard  him  discussing  mathematical  questions  until  a  late  hour 
of  the  night. 

But  to  return  to  his  school  days  : — His  father  says,  "  During 
this  time  he  gave  much  of  his  attention  to  literary  acquirements, 
intending  to  devote  his  life  to  literary  pursuits.  He  became, 
through  his  own  untiring  industry,  and  almost  entirely  self- 
taught,  a  very  fine  performer  on  the  piano."  While  the 
Louisville  Journal  says,  he  was  "  deeply  and  naturally  imbued 
with  an  unpretending,  but  soul-absorbing  love  of  all  that  is 
romantic  and  beautiful  in  life ;  he  was  a  worshipper  of  art,  a 
proficient  in  music,  and  not  only  a  connoisseur  of  polite  letters, 
but  himself,  although  he  had  published  little,  a  gifted  and 
industrious  producer." 

He  is  said  to  have  taken  "  peculiar  pleasure  in  studying  the 
character "  of  the  Indians.  With  an  enthusiasm  for  the  wild 
and  picturesque  that  knew  no  bounds,  he  became,  long  before 
his  removal  to  Minnesota,  singularly  interested  in  the-  Indian 
character,  and  constantly  availed  himself  of  every  opportunity 
and  resource  to  acquaint  himself  with  the  legends,  traditions, 
languages  and  ethnology  of  the  aborigines.  He  covered  the 
walls  of  his  apartments  in  college  with  Indian  words."    The 


110  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

writer  goes  on  to  say ;  "  and  learned  to  speak  the  language, 
or  rather  languages  of  the  Dakotas,  with  the  fluency  and 
idiomatic  intonations  of  the  natives  themselves." 

This  seems  to  refer  to  the  time  previous  to  his  coming  to 
Minnesota;  but  even  referring  it  to  his  attainments  in  after 
years,  it  must  be  regarded  as  the  judgment  of  a  friend  who  had 
never  learned  to  speak  an  Indian  language.  I  have  heard  a 
great  many  white  men  talk  Dakota,  but  I  have  yet  to  hear 
one,  in  all  respects,  talk  it  "  with  the  fluency  and  idiomatic 
intonations  of  the  natives."  Mr.  Lynd,  previous  to  his  death, 
spoke  the  language  too  well  to  have  made  such  a  claim  for 
himself.  But  it  is  proper  for  me  to  say,  that  he  did  speak  the 
Dakota  language  very  fluently,  and  doubtless  understood  its 
grammatical  construction  better  than  most  white  men  in  the 
country. 

"  He  was  always  of  a  retiring  disposition,  keeping  his  own 
counsel,  and  tender  and  kind  in  all  his  intercourse  with  others." 
This  is  the  father's  testimony.  It  seems  that  he  did  not  keep 
his  friends  very  well  informed  of  his  circumstances  after  he 
left  home. 

There  is  some  diflficulty  in  determining  the  exact  time  when 
Mr.  Lynd  came  to  Minnesota.  His  father  gives  1850.  But 
that  must  be  a  mistake,  as  he  was  then  only  twenty  years  old, 
and  it  was  in  his  twentieth  year  he  commenced  to  obtain  his 
education.  The  writer  in  the  Louisville  Journal^  says  :  "  With 
all  the  enthusiasm  of  a  voyageur,  and  the  indefatigableness  of 
an  antiquary,  he  removed  nine  years  ago  directly  into  the 
midst  of  those  whom  he  so  much  loved  to  study."  This  would 
place  his  arrival  in  Minnesota  in  the  year  1853,  which  better 
agrees  with  the  statements  made  in  regard  to  his  education. 

"  Settling  at  Traverse  des  Sioux"  says  the  Journal^  " he 
renewed  his  investigations  with  more  ardor  than  ever,  mingling 
constantly  with  the  Indians.  S^^stematically  gathering  and 
arranging  the  varied  and  abundant  materials  thus  accumulated, 
he  at  length  condensed  his  laborious  researches  into  a  most 
interesting  and  carefully-prepared  manuscript  volume,  which 
we  have  had  the  pleasure  of  examining,  and  which,  if  published, 
would,  we  have  no  doubt,  prove  a  very  valuable  contribution  to 


I 


MEMOIR   OF    HON.  JAS.  W.  LYND.  HI 

om-  obsciire    knowledge    of   this  disinherited  and   vanishing 
race." 

As  the  Indians  were  removed  from  the  Traverse  des  Sioui 
country  about  this  time  of  1853,  Mr.  Lynd  probably  did  not 
remain  long  there.  For  several  years  he  was,  to  some  extent, 
engaged  in  the  fur  trade,  and  was  connected  with  the  Browns. 
My  understanding  was  that  he  was  a  partner  with  Nathaniel 
Brown.  While  in  this  business  he  resided  at  various  points, 
but  chiefly  at  the  Lower  Sioux  Agency  and  at  Henderson. 

Following  the  example  of  others  in  the  trade,  and  especially 
of  those  with  whom  he  was  more  especially  connected,  Mr. 
Lynd,  soon  after  he  came  into  the  country,  took  Mary  Napay- 
SHUE,  a  very  respectable  and  educated  Indian  girl.  She  had 
been  raised  in  one  of  the  mission  families,  and  could  read  and 
speak  English  quite  well.  By  this  connection  she  has  two 
beautiful,  light-haired,  fair-skinned  girls,  the  eldest  of  which 
must  be  now  eight  or  nine  years  old.  Mr.  Lynd  was  frequently 
urged  to  marry  this  woman,  and  at  times  he  expressed  his  wish 
and  determination  to  do  so,  but  he  did  not  do  it.  It  is  believed 
that  this  course  commended  itself  to  his  better  nature,  but  the 
influence  of  others  was  against  it.  Some  time  before  the  out- 
break, he  abandoned  Mary  and  attached  himself  to  another 
woman,  by  whom  also  he  had  a  child.  This  boy  betrayed  his 
paternity,  and  the  mother  was  proud  of  it.  While  the  Indian 
camp  was  at  Fort  Snelling,  during  the  winter  after  the  out- 
break, this  boy  was  baptized  James  Lynd. 

I  need  hardly  say  that  this  custom  of  taking  Indian  girls  by 
white  men  never  received  our  countenance ;  and  if  I  could 
conscientiously  have  done  it,  it  would  have  been  more  pleasant 
for  me  to  ignore  these  facts  rather  than  record  them.  But 
however  censurable  this  course  was,  it  certainly  gave  him 
advantages  of  learning  the  Dakota  inner  and  outer  life  superior, 
in  some  respect,  to  those  enjoyed  by  us  missionaries. 

Under  the  auspices  of  Mr.  J.  R.  Brown,  a  weekly  paper 
was,  for  several  years,  published  at  Henderson,  Minn.,  called 
the  Henderson  Democrat.  As  its  name  indicates  it  was  on  the 
Democratic  side  in  politics  as  opposed  to  the  Republican.  Of 
this  paper  Mr.  Lynd  acted  as  editor  for  nearly  a  year  I  believe, 
and  conducted  it  with  more  abUity  than  ordinarily  characterized 


112  Minnesota  historical  collections. 

it.  But  in  the  preparation  for  the  great  struggle  of  1860, 
which  terminated  in  the  ascendency  of  the  Republican  party 
fioth  in  the  State  and  nation,  Mr.  Lynd  changed  his  politics, 
and  came  out  on  the  winning  side.  Soon  after  the  declaration 
of  this  change  in  his  political  faith,  he  retired  from  the  editor's 
chair,  and  being  taken  up  by  his  new  friends,  he  was  elected 
to  the  State  Senate,  from  the  district  in  which  are  Sibley  and 
Nicollet  counties. 

During  his  senatorial  term  of  two  years,  Mr.  Lynd  is  under- 
stood to  have  applied  himself  to  the  interests  of  his  constituents 
,in  such  a  manner  as  to  give  general  satisfaction.  In  the  first 
winter  a  law  was  enacted  enfranchising  educated  Indians, 
which  obtained  Mr.  Lynd's  cordial  and  energetic  support.  Of 
his  labors  during  this  period,  some  of  Mr.  Lynd's  co-legislators 
could  give  a  much  more  worthy  account  than  it  is  possible  for 
me  to  do. 

One  of  these  winters  he  was  invited  to  deliver  the  annual 
address  before  the  Historical  Society  of  Minnesota.  On  this 
occasion  [Jan.  21,  1861]  he  entertained  his  audience  with  the 
substance  of  one  of  the  chapters  in  his  then  nearly  finished 
work  on  the  "  History,  Legends,  Traditions,  Language,  and 
Religion  »f  the  Dakotas." 

This  work,  it  appears,  was  projected  by  Mr.  Lynd  before  he 
came  to  Minnesota ;  and  his  coming  among  the  Dakotas  was 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  this  life-plan. 

In  our  circle  at  Yellow  Medicine,  it  was  understood  that  it 
was  finished  and  ready  for  the  press,  in  the  spring  before  the 
outbreak.  But  for  some  reasons  not  known  to  us,  his  mission 
to  the  East,  as  we  supposed  for  the  purpose  of  finding  a 
publisher,  was  not  then  successful. 

At  the  time  of  the  outbreak,  this  manuscript  appears  to  have 
been  in  the  store  of  N.  Myrick  &  Co.,  where  Mr.  Lynd  was 
then  stopping.  Before  the  store  was  burned  it  was  plundered 
by  the  Indians.  These  rolls  of  manuscript  were  probably  carried 
out  in  some  trunk,  and  then  thrown  away  in  the  ravine,  as 
being  of  no  value  to  them.  Many  months  afterwards  they 
were  found  by  some  soldiers  who  were  employed  at  the  saw- 
mill in  that  neighborhood.  Already  greatly  mutilated,  and 
some  of  the  chapters  lost,  they  suffered  still  more  in  the  hands 


MEMOIR   OF    HON.  JAS.  W.  LYND.  113 

of  the  soldiers,  who  commenced  using  them  for  gun-wadding. 
This  process  of  destruction  was  stopped  by  Captain  Shepherd, 
then  of  Fort  Ridgely,  and  after  a  correspondence  with  the 
writer  of  this  notice,  the  remaining  part  of  the  manuscript, 
containing  some  chapters  almost  entire  and  also  valuable  por- 
tions of  chapters,  was  placed  in  the  keeping  of  the  Historical 
Societj^ 

On  the  morning  of  August  the  18th,  1862,  at  the  Lower 
Sioux  Agency,  was  commenced  that  fearful  burst  of  savage 
fury  which  swept  over  the  border  land  of  Minnesota,  and 
depopulated  for  a  time  twenty  counties.  And  James  W.  Ltnd 
was  the  first  man  killed  that  morning.  As  we  have  already 
said,  he  was  then  making  his  headquarters  at  the  store  of  N. 
Myrick  &  Co.,  awaiting  the  paj^ment.  The  sun  had  scarcely 
risen  on  the  morning  of  that  bloody  day,  when  the  Indians  from 
Little  Six's  band  on  the  Redwood,  from  Little  Crow's  and 
the  other  villages  between  that  and  the  agency,  commenced 
gathering,  all  painted,  and  ready  for  their  contemplated  work. 
It  was  to  commence  at  Myrick's  store.  In  front  of  that  was 
the  principal  gathering. 

To  account  to  white  men  for  their  being  painted  and  armed, 
they  said  there  were  Chippewas  in  the  country,  and  they  were 
going  to  hunt  them.  It  is  believed  that  the  deception  was 
perfect.  Until  the  attack  commenced  the  white  men  did  not 
suspect  it.     Some  Indians  also  were  deceived  in  the  same  way. 

According  to  testimony  given  before  a  military  commission, 
the  killing  was  commenced  in  this  way :  Mr.  Divol,  Myrick's 
clerk,  was  out  in  the  stable  yard,  coming  towards  the  house. 
Mr.  Lynd  was  standing  in  the  end  door  of  the  store,  looking 
out  towards  the  stables.  Two  Indians,  with  double-barrelled 
guns,  entered  the  store  by  the  front  door,  and  shot  Mr.  Lynd  in 
the  back.  He  fell  out  of  the  door,  and  is  supposed  to  have 
died  in  a  few  minutes. 

This  was  the  end  of  his  earthly  life.  Many  others  suflfered 
more  on  that  day  than  he  did.  The  firing  of  these  gUns  was 
the  signal  for  co.nmencing  the  work  of  death  at  all  the  stores 
and  at  the  agency  buildings. 

Mr.  Lynd's  being  the  first  victim  is  not  supposed  to  have  been 
the  result  of  any  special  hatred  towards  him  on  the  part  of  the 
15 


114  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Indians.  According  to  the  testimony  of  Indians  and  half- 
breeds,  Andrew  Myrick  had  recently  made  himself  peculiarly 
obnoxious,  and  this  was  the  reason  why  they  had  agreed  to 
commence  at  that  store.  And  as  they  had  before  determined 
to  kill  all  white  men,  Mr.  Lynd  was  shot  first  because  he 
presented  the  first  and  best  mark. 

As  a  gentlemanly  man,  as  a  kind  and  accommodating  friend 
and  neighbor,  as  an  intelligent  and  interesting  companion,  and 
as  one  really  enthusiastic  in  his  interest  in  the  Indians'  present 
and  future,  James  W.  Lynd  will  be  remembered  by  many 
in  his  adopted  State  of  Minnesota. 

St.  Anthony,  Jan.  27,  1865. 


i 


THE  DAKOTA  MISSION 


BY  KEY.  S.  R.  RIGGS. 


In  the  chronicles  of  Fort  Snelling,  published  by  the  Minnesota 
Historical  Society  In  1865,  mention  is  made  of  a  visit  to  that 
post  on  the  1st  of  September,  1829,  by  the  Rev.  Alvin  Coe, 
accompanied  by  Mr.  J.  D.  Stevens.  They  came  on  an  explor- 
ing tour,  with  the  view  of  establishing  Protestant  missions 
among  the  Chippewas  and  Dakotas. 

But  the  Dakota  mission  was  not  commenced  until  several 
years  afterwards. 

In  this  same  Fort  Snelling"  chronicle  it  is  recorded  that,  "  in 
the  year  1834,  Samuel  W.  and  Gideon  H.  Pond  arrived,  and 
offered  their  services  for  the  benefit  of  the  Sioux,  and  were 
sent  out  to  the  Agent's  agricultural  colony  at  Lake  Calhoun." 
These  brothers  Pond  were  young  men  from  Washington,  Conn., 
and  are  still  honored  residents  of  Minnesota.  They  built  a 
log  cabin  near  the  Indian  village,  on  a  high  bluff  on  the  lake 
shore. 

During  this  summer  of  1834,  Thos.  S.  Williamson,  of  Ripley, 
Ohio,  received  from  the  Am.  Board  a  commission  "  to  proceed 
on  an  exploring  tour  among  the  Indians  of  the  Upper 
Mississippi?' 

In  the  spring  following.  Doctor  Williamson,  with  Mrs. 
Williamson  and  one  child,  left  Ripley  to  remove  to  the  land  of 
the  Dakotas.  He  was  accompanied  by  Mr.  Alex.  G.  Huggins, 
as  missionary  farmer,  with  his  wife  and  two  children.  Miss 
Sarah  Poage,  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Williamson,  who  afterwards 
became  the  first  Mrs.  G.  H.  Pond,  made  one  of  the  party,  as 
teacher.     They  reached  Fort  Snelling  on  the  16th  of  May,  1835. 


116  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

On  the  30tli  of  the  same  month,  Jedediah  D.  Stevens,  now 
a  minister  of  the  gospel,  who  was  here  with  Mr.  Coe,  nearly 
six  years  before,  arrived  with  his  family.  A  niece  of  Mr. 
Stevens,  Miss  Lucy  Cornelia  Stevens,  accompanied  them  as 
teacher.  She  was  afterwards  married  to  Mr.  Gavin,  one  of 
the  Swiss  missionaries. 

On  the  second  Sabbath  of  June,  a  Presbyterian  church  was 
organized  in  one  of  the  companj'-  rooms  of  the  fort,  and  the 
sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper  was  administered.  Of  this 
church,  Captain,  now  Colonel  Gustavus  Loomis,  and  (now)  Gen. 
H.  H.  Sibley,  were  elected  ruling  elders. 

Mr.  Stevens  commenced  a  mission  station  at  Lake  Harriet ; 
and  on  the  23d  of  June,  Dr.  Williamson  and  his  party  left  the 
fort  for  Lac  qui  Parle,  in  company  with  Joseph  Renville,  the 
trader  at  that  place. 

The  first  years  of  the  mission  at  both  stations  were  spent  in 
erecting  buildings,  in  acquiring  the  language,  and  in  teaching 
such  as  were  at  first  found  willing  to  learn. 

At  Lake  Harriet,  Mr.  Stevens  commenced  and  carried  on  for 
several  years  a  small  boarding  school,  which  resulted  in 
educating  and  preparing  for  greater  usefulness  several  half- 
breed  girls. 

At  Lac  qui  Parle  some  were  taught  in  the  English  language, 
but  more  learned  to  read  in  the  Dakota.  Some  progress  was 
made  in  collecting  words  for  a  vocabulary  and  in  obtaining 
translations  of  portions  of  Scripture.  These  were  obtained  by 
Dr.  Williamson  through  Mr.  Renville.  The  process  was  by 
reading  the  French  and  then  writing  down  the  Dakota  as  given 
by  Mr.  R. 

In  the  spring  of  1836,  Mr.  Gideon  H.  POnd  went  to  Lac  qui 
Parle  to  assist  in  manual  labor  and  teaching.  In  the  autumn 
of  that  year,  Mr.  S.  W.  Ponu  return ed  to  his  native  place  in 
Connecticut,  where  he  was  licensed  and  ordained  as  an  evangelist 
to  preach  to  the  Indians.  In  the  following  spring  he  returned 
and  again  took  up  his  abode  chiefly  with  the  Lake  Calhoun 
Indians,  residing  at  the  Lake  Harriet  Station. 

On  the  first  day  of  June,  1837,  S.  R.  Riggs  and  his  wife 
Mary  A.  L.  Riggs,  reached  Fort  Snelling,  and  were  kindly 
received  by  Lieut.  Ogden  and  his  wife,  who  was  the  daughter 


THE   DAKOTA    MISSION.  117 

of  then  Maj.  Loomis.  For  the  next  three  months  they  were 
domiciled  in  an  upper  room  of  the  school  house  at  the  Lake 
Harriet  Station. 

"  The  situation  of  the  mission  houses  is  very  beautiful,  on  a 
little  eminence  just  upon  the  shore  of  a  lovely  lake  skirted  with 
trees.  Beyond,  towards  the  fort,  commences  a  finely  undulat- 
ing prairie  which  reaches  to  the  rivers.  •  About  a  mile  north  of 
us  is  Lake  Calhoun,  on  the  margin  of  which  is  an  Indian  village 
of  about  twenty  teepees.  Most  of  these  are  bark  houses  twenty 
feet  square,  and  others  are  tents  of  skins." 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  written  at  the  time  will 
show  something  of  first  impressions  : 

"The  most  singular  ornament  I  have  seen  was  a  large 
striped  snake  fastened  among  the  painted  hair,  feathers  and 
ribbons  of  an  Indian's  head  dress,  in  such  a  manner  that  it 
could  coil  around  in  front,  and  dart  out  its  snaky  head  or  creep 
down  the  back  at  pleasure.  The  Indian  sat  perfectly  at  ease, 
apparently  enjoying  the  astonishment  and  fear  manifested  by 
some  of  the  family." 

An  interesting  fact  is  related  of  Mrs.  Persis  Dentan  as 
having  occurred  early  in  this  spring  of  1837.  Mrs.  Dentan 
was  formerly  Miss  Skinner,  of  the  Mackinaw  mission,  but 
married  Mr.  Dentan,  one  of  the  Swiss  missionaries,  who  came 
to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  Dakotas. 

Mr.  Dentan  was  taken  sick  at  Fort  Snelling.  Mrs.  D.  heard 
of  it,  and  as  soon  as  the  ice  was  out  of  the  Mississippi,  she 
procured  a  canoe,  and  with  two  Indian  women  to  paddle,  came 
up  a  hundred  miles,  sleeping  on  the  snow-covered  ground  two 
nights. 

About  the  first  of  September,  Doctor  Williamson  and  Mr. 
Pond  came  down  from  Lac  qui  Parle ;  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Riggs 
returned  with  them,  reaching  the  mission  band  at  the  "Lake 
that  Speaks,"  on  the  thirteenth. 

On  Thursday,  the  2d  day  of  November,  Mr.  G.  H.  Pond  and 
Miss  Sarah  Poage  were  married.  Mr.  Pond  on  this  occasion 
followed  the  injunction  of  the  Saviour :  "  When  thou  makest 
a  feast  call  not  thy  friends  and  thy  rich  neighbors,  but  call 
the  poor  and  the  lame  and  the  blind."     It  was  a  novel  wedding 


118  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLL  LOTIONS. 

supper,  and  with  glad  hearts  they  dished  out  and  ate  the 
potatoes  and  turnips  and  pork. 

A  native  mission  church  had  been  organized  nearly  two 
years  before  by  Dr.  Williamson,  and  at  this  time  numbered 
about  fifteen,  with  A.  G.  Huggins,  G.  H.  Pond,  and  Mr. 
Renville,  as  ruling  elders.  For  many  years  the  majority  of 
the  native  church  members  were  women.  Some  time  after,  this 
fact  was  brought  up  b^  the  Indian  men  as  an  objection,  that 
our  church  was  an  assembly  of  women.  We  ought  to  have 
waited  and  taken  the  men  in  first. 

Late  in  October  of  1838,  Dr.  Williamson  and  his  wife  started 
for  Ohio.  He  had  obtained  the  Gospel  of  Mark  in  the  Dakota 
language,  together  with  fugitive  chapters  from  other  parts  of 
the  Bible.  Also  he  took  with  him  the  manuscript  for  a  school 
book.  Although  not  exactly  the  first  printing  done  in  the 
language,  these  were  the  first  books  that  did  much  service  in 
the  mission.  Heretofore  teaching  had  been  done  chiefly  by 
means  of  lessons  printed  by  hand. 

At  Lake  Harriet  mission  station,  on  the  2 2d  of  November, 
1838,  Samuel  William  Pond  was  married  to  Miss  Cordelia 
Eggleston,  who  was  a  sister  of  Mrs.  J.  D.  Stevens.  And  in 
the  spring  of  1839,  Miss  Lucy  Cornelia  Stevens  was  married 
to  Rev.  Daniel  Gavin.  For  a  while  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gavin 
resided  at  Red  Wing  and  then  removed  to  East  Canada,  where 
they  labored  for  the  French  population. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1839,  Mr.  G.  H.  Pond  removed  with 
his  family  from  Lac  qui  Parle,  making  a  canoe  voyage  down  the 
Minnesota,  and  established  himself  in  connection  with  his 
brother  at  Lake  Harriet,  to  labor  again  with  the  Lake  Calhoun 
band.  About  this  time  Mr.  Stevens  left  the  service  of  the 
board  and  removed  to  Wabashaw,  and  then  to  Prairie  du  Chien. 

The  winter  of  1838  and  '39  was  remarkable  for  a  religious 
excitement.  More  than  usual  interest  was  felt  and  manifested 
— the  meetings  were  larger  than  before — and  ten  women  were 
added  to  the  church  at  Lac  qui  Parle.  The  next  summer  was 
somewhat  noted  for  an  unsuccessful  war  party  which  made  a 
path  to  the  Chippewa  country ;  and  coming  home  without 
scalps^  they  laid  the  blame  to  the  prayers  of  the  mission,  and 
took  vengeance  on  our  cattle. 


THE   DAKOTA   MISSION.  119 

Protestant  missions  carry  with  them  the  plough  and  the 
loom.  From  the  beginning  it  had  been  a  part  of  our  work  to 
make  more  than  two  stalks  of  corn  grow  where  one  grew 
before.  And  the  Indians  themselves  being  witnesses,  we  had 
helped  them  to  raise  a  much  more  plentiful  supply  of  corn  and 
afterwards  of  potatoes. 

Mrs.  HuGGiNS  was  mistress  of  the  spinning  wheel,  and 
introduced  the  Dakota  women  and  girls  into  the  mysteries  of 
twisting  flax  and  wool.  In  the  autumn  of  1838  they  commenced 
to  knit  socks  and  stockings.  But  not  until  a  j^ear  later,  or 
towards  the  close  of  1839,  did  they  try  their  skill  in  weaving. 
On  a  loom  made  and  put  into  operation  by  Mr.  Hdggins,  two 
Dakota  women  and  two  girls  wove  for  themselves  each  enough 
of  linsey  for  a  short  gown — in  all  ten  or  twelve  yards.  This 
was  doubtless  the  first  cloth  made  in  Minnesota.  For  several 
years  education  in  domestic  manufactures  was  continued,  more 
for  the  purpose  of  showing  the  Indians  how  such  things  were 
done,  than  with  the  expectation  of  getting  the  wheel  and  the 
loom  domiciled  among  them. 

During  the  first  years  of  the  mission  at  Lac  qui  Parle,  "  the 
church"  was  literally  "in  the  house."  Dr.  Williamson  had 
built  a  story  and  a  half  log  house,  one  end  of  the  lower  part 
of  which  was  devoted  to  school  and  Sabbath  meetings.  When 
the  congregations  increased,  the  partition  between  this  and 
Doctor  W.'s  living  rooms,  was  made  into  doors,  and  so  a  larger 
assembly  was  accommodated. 

In  the  summer  of  1841,  a  church  was  built  of  unburnt  bricks, 
which  stood  for  thirteen  years,  until  the  station  was  removed  to 
Hazlewood.  This  building  was  surmounted  by  a  bell,  which 
was  the  first  bell  so  used  in  Minnesota. 

About  this  time  we  received  our  first  male  members  from  the 
full-blood  Dakotas.  By  this  our  people  there  were  subjected 
to  a  species  of  persecution  which  is  difficult  to  bear.  When 
Simon  Ana-wanymane,  after  professing  Christianity,  put  on 
the  white  man's  dress  and  went  to  work,  he  had  in  the 
estimation  and  language  of   the  Indians,  "made  himself  a 

woman." 

Owing  to  the  war  with  the  Chippewas  and  the  exposed 
position^'of  the  Indians  at  Lake  Calhoun,  they  abandoned  this 


120  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

place  and  removed  over  to  the  Minnesota.  But  for  some  time 
they  were  unsettled.  The  Mr.  Ponds  accordingly  left  Lake 
Harriet  in  the  spring  of  1840,  and  for  a  while  lived  in  the  stone 
house  near  Fort  Snelling,  known  as  the  "  Baker  House."  It 
was  not  until  1843  that  they  were  able  to  build  at  Oak  Grove 
and  again  reside  among  the  same  Indians.  With  these  lower 
Indians  there  were  always  many  opposing  forces,  and  God's 
truth  made  but  little  progress. 

In  the  summer  of  1842,  IVXi'.  and  Mrs.  Riggs  "  visited  the 
States,"  as  we  called  it  then.  What  we  regarded  then  as  a 
very  good  translation  of  the  Gospel  of  John  had  been  procured 
through  Mr.  Renville.  Mr.  G.  H.  Pond  had  translated  Luke, 
and  Mr.  Riggs  had  translated  The  Acts  and  Paul's  Epistles  with 
the  Revelation  of  John.  Added  to  this  we  had  a  portion  of  the 
Psalms  and  Dr.  Williamson's  translation  of  Genesis.  Besides, 
our  hymns  in  the  Dakota  Language  had  now  accumulated  so 
as  to  be  quite  a  work  to  write  off.  Then  we  needed  some 
school  books.  All  of  these  being  prepared  for  the  press,  the 
object  of  this  visit  on  East  was  to  have  the  books  printed. 
The  printing  was  done  partly  in  Boston  and  partlj^  in 
Cincinnati. 

In  this  year  Mr.  S.  W.  Pond  removed  up  to  Lac  qui  Parle  and 
Dr.  Williamson  came  down  to  the  stone  house,  which  places 
they  continued  to  occupy  until  the  year  following,  when  they 
both  returned. 

About  this  time  the  contest  on  the  polygamy  question  was  at 
its  height.  It  was  quite  a  common  thing  for  the  principal 
Dakota  men  to  have  more  than  one  wife.  In  several  instances 
two  wives  of  one  man  had  been  received  to  the  church  at  Lac 
qui  Parle.  It  was  not  perceived  that  we  could  adopt  any  rule 
excluding  either  of  them.  And  when  the  man  came  he  pleaded 
that  he  had  done  this  in  a  state  of  ignorance — that  to  put  one 
away  would  subject  the  woman  to  difficulties  and  expose  her  to 
temptations,  and  that  he  wished  to  keep  the  mother  for  the 
sake  of  the  children.  He  pleaded  also  the  example  of  Solomon 
and  David  and  Jacob  and  Abraham.  The  question  had  its 
difficulties.  The  missionaries  did  not  exactly  harmonize  in 
their  views.     But  finally  it  was  worked  out,  and  no  man  having 


I 


THE    DAKOTA   MISSION.  121 

more  than  one  woman  was  recognized  as  a  member  of  the 
mission  church. 

The  spring  of  1843  was  marked  by  an  addition  to  the  work- 
ing force  of  the  mission.  Several  years  before,  Miss  Fanny 
HuGGiNS  had  joined  the  family  of  her  brother  at  Lac  qui  Parle, 
and  had  actively  engaged  in  teaching.  Now  Miss  Jane  S. 
Williamson  joined  her  brother's  family,  for  the  same  purpose. 
Mr.  Robert  Hopkins  also  and  his  then  youthful  wife  joined  the 
mission,  and  were  associated  with  Mr.  Riggs  and  family  in  the 
formation  of  a  new  station  at  Traverse  des  Sioux. 

Here  was  experienced  our  first  great  sorrow.  Thomas  L. 
LoNGLEy,  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Riggs,  who  had  come  out,  in  the 
strength  of  his  opening  manhood,  to  assist  in  erecting  buildings 
at  the  new  station,  was  drowned  in  the  Minnesota  River  on  the 
15th  day  of  July.  And  by  a  strange  coincidence,  in  July  eight 
years  afterwards,  Mr.  Hopkins  was  to  be  drowned  not  far  from 
the  same  place. 

About  this  time  and  for  eight  years  afterwards  the  influence 
of  St.  Paul  town  become  great  over  the  Dakota  Indians  ;  but  it 
was  in  the  way  of  furnishing  them  with  fire  water.  And  the 
new  station  at  Traverse  des  Sioux  felt  the  effects  of  this  more 
than  other  villages,  being  on  the  great  route  westward. 

Also  in  these  years,  as  they  passed,  the  opposition  to  schools 
seemed  to  increase.  The  provision  for  education  which  had 
been  inserted  in  the  treaty  of  1837-8,  proved  only  an  obstacle 
in  the  way  of  education ;  as  unprincipled  white  men  could 
persuade  the  Indians  that  if  they  sent  their  children  to  school, 
the  missionaries  would  get  their  money.  It  was  evident  that 
there  were  men  among  them  who  desired,  for  some  reason,  to 
keep  the  Indians  in  ignorance.  The  wakan  men  among  the 
Indians  also  were  afraid  for  the  supremacy  of  their  stone  gods. 
They  were  willing  to  entertain  the  Great  Spirit  or  the  white 
man's  God,  and  give  him  a  place  among  the  gods  ;  but  he  must 
not  assume  the  first  place  even,  On  the  other  hand  Christianity 
could  make  no  compromise.  It  required  the  whole  heart  and 
the  whole  life  for  Jesus. 

So  the  mission  worked  on  ;  sometimes  in  gladness  and  some- 
times in  sadness.     There  were  times  at  Lac  qui  Parle  when  the 
soldiers  (Dakotas)  stopped  the  children  from  coming  to  school 
16 


122  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

and  the  women  from  coming  to  church.  But  at  every  such 
time  some  one  was  raised  up  to  withstand  the  power  of  heath- 
enism. Sometimes  a  portion  of  the  Indians  would  determine 
on  sending  away  the  missionaries  ;  but  another  party  was  sure 
to  rise,  in  a  few  da3^s,  to  withstand  them.  Thus  Jehovah 
brought  to  nought  the  counsels  of  the  heathen. 

In  the  mean  time  His  word  was  taking  root.  Some  were 
learning  to  read  and.  write.  The  number  of  native  church 
members  was  increased  slowly  ;  and  there  were  many  who  were 
feeling  their  way  up  to  a  higher  civilization. 

In  the  autumn  of  1846  the  mission  held  its  annual  meeting 
at  Traverse  des  Sioux.  This  was  one  of  the  most  important 
gatherings  of  the  mission.  A  few  months  before  Little  Crow 
had  made  application  to  Dr.  Williamson,  through  the  agent, 
to  come  and  live  at  his  village  of  Kaposia  a  few  miles  below 
St.  Paul.  After  several  days'  discussion  of  that  and  kindred 
subjects  connected  with  the  mission,  it  was  decided  that  Dr. 
Williamson  accept  the  invitation  and  remove  down  immediately. 
This  change  made  it  necessary  to  send  Mr.  Riggs  and  family 
back  to  Lac  qui  Parle.  Mr.  Huggins  was  to  come  down  to  the 
Traverse  and  Mr.  Jonas  Pettijohn,  who  had  joined  the  mission 
that  year  and  married  Miss  Fanny  Huggins,  was  to  remain 
at  Lac  qui  Parle  as  missionary  farmer. 

Previous  to  this  time  Mr.  Joseph  Renville^  had  died.  He 
had  been  of  great  service  to  the  mission  in  many  ways.  Could 
it  prosper  without  him^ 

In  the  spring  following,  that  is  the  spring  of  1847,  at  a 
meeting  of  the  Dakota  Presbytery  held  at  Oak  Grove,  our 
preaching  force  was  increased  by  the  licensure  of  Gr.  H.  Pond 
and  Robert  Hopkins.  They  both  talked  the  Dakota  language 
and  understood  Dakota  customs.  Mr.  Pond  had  now  been 
among  them  thirteen  years. 

In  the  summer  of  1848  our  force  was  further  increased  by 
the  arrival  of  Rev.  Moses  N.  Adams  and  John  F.  Aiton  with 
their  wives.  Joseph  W.  Hancock  also  came  to  the  Red  Wing 
station,  and  was  afterwards  licensed  by  the  Dakota  Presbytery. 
Rev.  Joshua  Potter  also  was  transferred  to  this  field  from  the 

1.  A  biographical  sketch  of  Mr.  RENViLiiE  is  given  in  the  Annals  of  the 
Minxxesota  Historical  Society  for  1856,  page  104.— W. 


THE    DAKOTA    MISSION.  123 

Choctaws.  Mr.  Pond  and  Mr.  Hopkins  were  ordained.  Mr. 
S.  W.  Pond  had  before  this  commenced  a  station  at  Little 
Six's  village  at  Shakopee.  We  were  now  occupying  six 
stations,  and  strong  in  men.  Mr.  Adams  went  to  Lac  qui  Parle 
to  learn  the  language,  and  Mr.  Aiton  was  placed  at  Red  Wing, 
while  Mr.  Potter  spent  a  year  at  Traverse  des  Sioux. 

Still  although  strong  in  laborers  and  occupying  so  many 
stations,  the  progress  was  slow,  and  the  opposition  great. 
There  was  no  point  where  the  gospel  took  root  as  it  did  at  Lac 
qui  Parle.  There  were  a  few  church  members  at  each  of  the 
stations,  and  occasionally^  a  man  who  was  not  ashamed  to  be, 
partly  at  least,  identified  with  the  new  religion  ;  but  heathenism 
was  everywhere  the  ruling  element;  and  nowhere,  except  at 
Lac  qui  Parle,  was  there  any  considerable  front  of  opposition 
against  it.  Many  of  the  Dakotas  desired  to  have  a  missionary 
resident  at  their  village,  because  it  brought  them  temporal 
advantages  in  various  ways,  but  they  sought  not  as  yet  the 
higher  blessings  which  the  gospel  brings. 

By  and  by  came  the  year  1851.  This  was  memorable  for 
various  things — chiefly  for  the  treaties  that  were  made  that 
year  with  the  Dakotas  and  the  results  that  followed.  While 
they  were  gathering  at  Traverse  des  Sioux  to  make  the  first 
treaty  of  the  summer,  Mr.  Hopkins  was  drowned.  He  wont 
out  to  bathe  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  of  Jul}^,  and  returned 
not  again. 

Before  this  time  Mr.  Potter  had  left  the  Dakotas  and  gone 
to  the  New  York  Indians. 

The  treaties  of  this  year  resulted  in  the  removal  of  all  the 
lower  villages  of  Dakotas  up  the  Minnesota  River.  Both  the 
Mr.  Ponds  remained  where  they  were,  and  preached  to  the  white 
people  who  came  in.  So  also  did  Mr.  Hancock.  Mr.  Adams 
removed  from  Lac  qui  Parle  to  Traverse  des  Sioux  in  1853,  and 
organized  a  church  there  among  the  white  people.  Mr.  Hug- 
gins  and  Mr.  Pettijohn  also  withdrew  from  the  service  of  the 
board.  While  Dr.  Williamson  and  his  family  removed  up  to 
the  Yellow  Medicine  and  commenced  there  a  new  station. 

In  the  fall  of  1851,  Mr.  Riggs  visited  New  York  city  to 
superintend  the  printing  of  the  Dakota  Grammar  and  Diction- 


124  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

ary,  which  was  done  by  Smithsonian  Institute, 
patronage  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Minnesota." 

In  the  spring  of  1854,  the  mission  buildings  at  Lac  qui  Parle 
were  burned  to  the  ground.  Thereupon  the  station  was  removed 
to  Hazlewood,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Yellow  Medicine. 
The  preaching  force  was  now  reduced  to  Doctor  Williamson 
and  Mr.  Riggs.  But  the  changed  circumstances  of  the  Indians 
and  the  gathering  of  the  civilized  element  together,  now  con- 
spired to  growth  and  development.  The  seeds  which  had 
been  sown  in  previous  years  now  commenced  to  germinate  and 
to  show  themselves  in  a  new  life.  The  number  of  men  who 
had  changed  their  dress  and  adopted  the  white  man's  had  so 
increased,  that  by  forming  a  coalition  with  certain  half-breeds 
they  formed  an  independent  band  and  elected  their  own  presi- 
dent, who  was  recognized  as  a  chief  by  the  agent. 

The  churches  of  Hazlewood  and  Pajutaze  both  grew  in  num- 
bers and  in  character.  At  the  new  station  at  Hazlewood  a 
neat  church  building  was  erected  in  the  year  1855,  costing 
about  $700 — more  than  two-thirds  of  which  was  raised  by  the 
Indians  and  their  friends  in  the  county.  Many  of  these  men, 
who  constituted  the  Hazlewood  Republic,  built  for  themselves, 
with  some  assistance,  comfortable  frame  and  log  houses. 

The  Government  came  in  now  and  encouraged  agriculture 
and  the  change  of  dress  in  the  men.  It  required  a  good  deal 
of  courage,  and  some  outside  pressure  also  to  get  a  man  up  to 
the  point  of  parting  with  his  hair  and  putting  on  pantaloons. 
But  steadily  the  work  went  on,  not  without  opposition  it  is 
true.  Even  Little  Crow  often  talked  of  becoming  a  white 
man,  but  there  were  always  reasons  which  prevented. 

The  Christian  element  among  the  Dakotas  was  chiefly  gathered 
into  the  churches  of  Pajutaze  and  Hazlewood.  A  few  were  at 
the  Lower  Sioux  Agency,  and  a  few  at  the  villages  higher  up 
on  the  Minnesota. 

In  the  summer  of  1859,  John  P.  Williamson,  then  a  student 
of  Lane  Seminary,  Ohio,  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  by 
the  Dakota  Presbytery.  And  in  the  autumn  of  the  next  year 
he  returned  to  Dakota  land  and  commenced  a  station  at  the 
Lower  Agency.  A  small  church  was  organized  there  during 
the  two  years  that  followed,  and  a  neat  church  building  erected. 


THE    DAKOTA    MISSION.  125 

So  the  work  progressed  until  the  time  of  the  outbreak  in  1862, 
We  then  had  three  church  organizations,  containing  an  aggre- 
gate of  about  sixty-five  native  members,  more  than  a  third  of 
whom  were  males.  We  had  also  commodious  houses  of  worship, 
which  were  generally  well  filled  on  the  Sabbath.  We  had  been 
educating  them  in  benevolent  eflbrt,  and  for  several  years  their 
contributions  to  foreign  missions  would  compare  favorably  with 
those  of  churches  in  Christian  lands. 

We  had  also  at  this  time  a  boarding  school,  at  the  Hazlewood 
Station,  in  which  and  in  the  other  mission  families  were  from 
eighteen  to  twenty  scholars.  Many  of  these  had  already 
learned  to  read  and  write  and  talk  English.  Mr.  H.  D. 
Cunningham  was  the  steward  of  the  boarding  school. 

This  was  the  state  of  the  mission  when  in  an  unexpected 
hour  the  outbreak  of  August,.  1862,  burst  upon  us.  There  had 
been  murmurings  and  surgings — there  had  been  difliculties  which 
were  hardly  quite  overcome.  And  perhaps  we  ought  to  have 
foreseen  the  storm.  But  we  did  not.  Providentially  Mr.  John 
P.  Williamson  had  ten  days  before  started  on  to  Ohio.  Being 
stationed  at  the  Lower  Agency,  where  the  killing  commenced, 
he  might  have  been  in  more  danger  than  we  were  up  at  the 
Yellow  Medicine.  But  we  all  escaped  safely — protected  by  the 
shield  of  God.  Mr.  Amos  W.  Huggins,  a  son  of  the  associate 
of  Dr.  Williamson  at  Lac  qui  Parle,  was  killed  by  the  Indians 
at  that  same  Lac  qui  Parle.  He  was  employed  as  a  government 
teacher.  A  good  man,  who  had  a  heart  and  a  hand  to  labor 
for  the  Dakotas,  he  has  gone  to  his  reward. 

The  weeks  that  followed  the  18th  of  August,  1862,  were  dark 
weeks.  The  Dakota  mission  was  broken  up — the  missionaries 
had  been  obliged  to  flee,  and  they  had  escaped  only  with  the 
skin  of  their  teeth — the  mission  houses  and  churches  all  plun- 
dered and  burned  to  the  ground — and  the  native  church  members 
scattered,  perhaps  worse  than  that — drawn  or  forced  into  the 
rebellion.  White  men  said  the  Dakota  mission  was  a  failure — 
that  if  our  teachings  had  been  right,  they  would  have  prevented 
such  an  outbreak.  We  were  dumb,  because  thou.  Lord,  didst  it ! 
But  the  vindication  was  coming.  Even  now  John  Other 
Day,  a  member  of  Dr.  Williamson's  church  had  helped  away 
sixty-two  persons  from  the  Agency  at  the  Yellow  Mediclhe. 


126  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Our  missionary  party  of  forty-three  were  indebted  for  our 
escape  to  our  Christian  Indians,  to  an  extent  that  we  did  not 
know  of  then.  And  while  the  troops  under  Gen.  Sibley  were 
at  Fort  Ridgely,  making  preparations  to  advance,  Simon  Ana- 
wanymane  came  into  our  lines  with  a  white  woman  and  three 
children  who  had  been  taken  captive  by  the  hostile  Sioux. 
Simon  was  an  elder  in  the  Hazlewood  church.  A  few  days 
after  this  Lorenzo  Lawrence,  a  member  of  the  same  church, 
brought  down  by  canoes  Mrs.  DeCamp  and  her  children  and 
also  a  half-breed  family.  And  when  the  battle  of  Wood  Lake 
had  been  fought  and  our  troops  reached  "  Camp  Release," 
nearly  one  hundred  captive  white  women  and  children  were 
delivered  up.  The  majority  of  these  were  in  the  hands  of  the 
Christian  Indians — having  been  procured  from  the  hostile  party 
by  purchase  or  otherwise.  It  further  appeared  that  the  mem- 
bers of  our  churches  had,  with  but  a  few  exceptions,  kept 
themselves  aloof  from  participation  in  the  uprising.  But  that 
was  not  all.  It  was  moreover  satisfactorily  established  that 
they  had,  from  the  beginning,  resisted  and  withstood  the 
rebellion,  and  they  were  the  nucleus  around  which  gathered 
and  strengthened  the  counter  revolution,  which  gave  success  to 
our  campaign. 

So  God's  word  and  work  were  vindicated.  But  He  had 
mercies  along  with  the  judgments,  in  store  for  the  Dakotas. 
And  these  mercies  could  come  to  them  only  by  breaking  down 
their  pride  and  casting  them  down  to  the  ground. 

Of  the  men  who  came  into  our  hands  by  the  surrender  at 
Camp  Release,  more  than  three-fourths  were  Mdwakantonwans 
or  Lower  Sioux,  who  had  generally  refused  education  and  the 
new  religion.  But  now  in  their  distress,  they  not  only 
acknowledged  the  superior  power  of  the  white  man,  but  their 
religion  had  been  at  fault — the  gods  had  failed  them.  The 
education  which  they  had  before  despised,  they  now  gladly 
accepted.  The  prison  at  Mankato  in  the  winter  of  1862-3,  was 
turned  into  a  great  school  room.  Among  the  prisoners  were 
a  few  who  had  learned  to  read  and  write  their  own  language. 
These  became  the  teachers  of  the  more  than  three  hundred 
men  confined  there.  In  a  lew  weeks  two-thirds  of  these  men  had 
so  far  learned  to  read  and  write  that  they  were  writing  letter^ 


THE    DAKOTA   MISSION.  127 

to  their  families  and  friends  at  Fort  Snelling.  And  what  was 
done  in  the  prison  was  done  also  in  the  camp.  But  the  educa- 
tional movement  in  the  camp,  among  the  women  and  children 
at  Fort  Snelling,  was  not  so  universal  and  absorbing  as  at 
Mankato.  More  readers  of  the  word  of  God  were  made  during 
this  one  winter,  than  had  been  made  by  the  combined  efforts  of 
the  mission  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century.  We  looked 
on  and  said,  "  How  easy  it  is  for  God  to  work." 

Along  with  this  educational  movement  was  another  still 
more  remarkable.  Dr.  Williamson  had  commenced  visiting 
and  preaching  to  the  convicts  immediately  after  they  were 
brought  down  to  Mankato.  A  good  deal  of  interest  was  man- 
ifested. Some  individuals  indicated  a  determination  to  change 
their  religion.  But  it  was  not  until  after  the  executions  that  any 
general  and  deep  interest  was  manifested.  The  Sabbath  after 
the  executions  was  the  first  time  the  prisoners  were  let  out 
into  the  prison  yard.  They  were  still  chained  two  and  two 
together,  except  a  few  who  had  been  for  special  reasons 
unchained.  There  was  snow  on  the  ground.  But  in  that  prison 
yard  they  gathered  around  Mr.  Riggs,  and  stood  a  great  con- 
gregation to  praise  Jehovah  and  to  pray  unto  him  and  hear 
his  word. 

The  interest  increased.  Dr.  Williamson  continued  to  visit 
them.  About  mid-winter  Mr.  G.  H.  Pond  received  an  invita- 
tion, from  Indians  with  whom  he  was  acquainted  years  before, 
to  visit  them  in  prison.  He  went  up  and  spent  a  week  or  ten 
days  at  Mankato.  During  this  time  frequent  daily  meetings 
were  held  in  the  prison  by  Dr.  Williamson  and  Mr.  Pond. 
The  whole  multitude  then  and  there  abdicated  their  old  religion 
and  embraced  the  gospel.  They  wished  to  be  baptized.  And 
the  brethren,  after  consultation  with  Mr.  Hicks,  the  Presbyterian 
minister  in  Mankato,  and  subjecting  them  to  such  examination 
and  instruction  as  was  possible  with  such  a  number,  proceeded 
to  baptize  in  the  name  of  the  Father,"  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  persons.  Some,  who 
preferred  the  Episcopal  service,  preferred  to  be  baptized  by 
Mr.  HiNMAN.     A  few  others  were  afterwards  baptized  by  us. 

During  the  winter  there  was  a  somewhat  similar  religious 
movement  in  the  camp  at  Fort  Snelling.    John  P.  Williamson 


128  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

was  with  them  constantly  and  Mr.  Riggs  occasionally.  Nearly 
one  hundred  persons  were  duly  examined  and  received  to  the 
sealing  ordinances  of  the  church  in  the  camp.  A  number  also 
became  connected  with  the  Episcopalians. 

"  So  mightily  grew  the  word  of  God  and  prevailed.*' 

In  the  spring  of  1863,  the  camp  at  Fort  Snelling  were,  with 
the  exception  of  about  twenty  families,  removed  to  the  Missouri 
River  and  located  at  Fort  Thompson.  The  families  exempted 
from  removal  to  the  Missouri  were  taken  up  to  the  frontiers — 
the  men  to  be  emploj^ed  as  scouts  for  the  military.  In  this 
company  are  Paul  and  Simon  and  A.  Renville  and  Napa-shne- 
DOOTE,  four  of  the  six  elders  of  our  mission  churches.  John  B. 
Renville,  another  elder,  removed  with  his  family  to  St.  Anthony. 

The  prisoners  at  Mankato  were  transferred  to  Camp 
McClellan,  at  Davenport,  Iowa. 

Within  the  nearly  two  years  that  have  since  passed  about 
one  hundred  more  have,  at  various  places,  but  chiefly  at  the 
prison  and  at  Fort  Thompson,  been  received  to  church  fellow- 
ship. So  that  now,  deducting  for  deaths  and  backsliders, 
there  are  about  four  hundred  Dakotas  who  are  connected  with 
our  mission  church. 

Young  Mr.  Williamson  has  identified  himself  with  the  work 
On  the  Missouri,  and  has  for  his  assistants  at  Fort  Thompson, 
Mr.  Edward  Pond,  son  of  Mr.  G.  H.  Pond,  who  married  Mary 
Frances  Hopkins,  daughter  of  Mr.  R.  Hopkins,  who  was 
drowned  at  Traverse  des  Sioux. 

The  wonderful  progress  in  education  made  since  the  outbreak 
has  created  a  large  demand  for  books,  which  for  a  time  we 
could  poorly  meet.  But  several  books  have  recently  been  pre- 
pared and  electrotyped,  which  will  give  them  a  better  supply 
than  they  have  had  before. 

There  are,  first,  a  new  School  Primer ;  second,  a  Dakota 
Catechism ;  third,  Precept  upon  Precept,  translated  by  Mr. 
John  Renville  ;  and  lastly.  The  New  Testament,  with  the 
books  of  Genesis  and  Proverbs  from  the  Old. 

What  the  future  will  be  we  cannot  tell.  But  we  can  safely 
say,  thus  far  the  Dakota  mission  has  not  been  a  failure.  The 
Lord  has  wrought  wonderfully  for  His  own  Name's  sake. 

St,  Anthony,  February,  1865. 


INDIAN  WARFARE  IN  MINNESOTA 


BY  REV.  S.  W.  POND. 


The  following  is  a  brief  account  of  the  battles  fought  between 
the  Dakotas  of  the  Mississippi  and  Minnesota  and  their 
enemies,  and  the  numbers  killed  on  both  sides  in  the  course  of 
ten  years,  commencing  in  1835.  It  is  not  a  relation  of  events 
of  great  importance  in  themselves,  but  it  is  a  fragment  of 
Minnesota  history,  and  may,  at  some  future  time  be  read  with 
more  interest  than  at  present.  I  consider  it  of  little  value 
except  as  it  may  afford  some  help  to  any  who  may  hereafter 
wish  to  form  a  correct  idea  of  the  nature  and  ordinary  results 
of  Indian  warfare. 

This  paper  is  little  more  than  a  copy  of  a  record  which  I 
kept  for  many  years,  of  the  number  of  Dakotas  killed  by  their 
enemies,  and  the  number  of  their  enemies  killed  by  them,  so 
far  as  it  could  be  ascertained.  There  may  have  been  some 
killed  of  whom  I  have  no  account, — probably  there  were, — but 
not  many.  Whenever  an  Indian  was  killed  by  a  war  party, 
the  event,  with  the  attending  circumstances,  was  soon  reported 
throughout  the  country,  and  for  a  long  time  furnished  an 
interesting  topic  of  conversation.  And  the  report  was  generally 
correct,  for  the  Indians  were  not  in  the  habit  of  concealing 
their  own  loss,  nor  of  exaggerating  that  of  the  enemy. 

The  memorandum  which  I  kept  would  have  been  made  more 
full  and  interesting,  if  I  had  had  any  thoughts  of  -making  it 
public.  Some  defects  in  it  I  must  supply  from  memory,  and 
there  may  be  some  inaccuracies  in  this  paper.  I  do  not  intend 
to  have  it  contain  any  grave  errors,  and  shall  not  draw  on  my 
imagination  for  the  sake  of  making  it  interesting. 


130  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

In  recording  the  losses  by  war  I  shall  give  the  number  killed 
in  each  year  by  itself,  beginning  with 

1835. — In  June,  a  party  of  Chippewas'  coming  down  the 
Mississippi  on  a  peaceable  visit  to  Fort  Snelling,  were  waylaid 
and  one  of  their  number  killed  b}^  the  Dakotas.  The  murderers 
were  arrested  the  next  spring  by  the  military  at  Fort  Snelling. 

1836. — In  March,  a  war  party  from  Red  Wing  killed  one 
Chippewa.  About  the  same  time  a  Sac  Indian  was  killed  by 
Jack  Frazier,  a  half-breed  from  Red  Wing. 

1837. — Thirteen  Warpekute  Dakotas  were  killed  by  the 
Sacs. 

1838. — In  the  spring,  a  Dakota  of  Wabasha's  band  was 
killed  on  the  Chippewa  River  in  Wisconsin,  by  the  Chippewas. 
They  were  pursued  by  the  Dakotas  and  five  of  them  killed.-  In 
April,  eleven  Dakotas  were  treacherously  slain  near  the 
Chippewa  River,  about  thirty  miles  from  Lac  qui  Parle,  by  the 
Chippewas,  led  by  the  celebrated  Hole-in-the-Day.  The 
Chippewas  pretended  to  be  on  a  friendly  visit  to  the  Dakotas, 
and  lay  down  with  them  in  their  tents,  but  rose  on  them  in  the 
night  and  killed  them.  The  next  day,  my  brother,  G.  H.  Pond, 
aided  by  an  Indian  named  Tate-mime,  gathered  the  scattered 
fragments  of  their  mutilated  bodies  and  buried  them. 

In  July,  about  three  months  after  the  massacre,  Hole-in-the- 
Day,  with  two  or  three  others,  made  a  visit  to  Fort  Snelling. 
He  went  first  to  Patrick  Quinn's,  who  lived  by  the  Mississippi, 
about  a  mile  above  Fort  Snelling,  and  whose  wife  was  a  half- 
breed  Chippewa.  The  Dakotas  of  the  Lake  Calhoun  band 
heard  of  his  arrival,  and  stai-ted  out  in  a  body  to  kill  him,  but 
the  agent,  Maj.  Taliaferro,  persuaded  them  to  turn  back, 
giving  them  leave  to  kill  him,  if  they  could,  on  his  way  home. 
The  Dakotas  seemed  disposed  to  take  the  agent's  advice  and 
started  for  home,  but  two  of  them  whose  relatives  had  been 
killed  a  short  time  before  near  Lac  qui  Parle,  hid  themselves 
near  Quinn's,  and  in  the  evening,  as  Hole-in-the-Day  was 
passing  with  his  companions  from  Quinn's  house  to  another 
near  by,  they  killed  one  of  them  and  wounded  another,  but  the 
chief  escaped,  having  exchanged  some  of  his  clothes  or  orna- 
ments with  another  of  his  party  who  was  mistaken  for  him. 
One   of  the  Dakotas  was  badly  wounded.     They  were  both 


INDIAN    WARFARE    IN    MINNESOTA.  131 

confined  iu  the  fort  a  while,  but  were  finally  released  on  con- 
dition that  their  friends  should  chastise  them  severely  in  the 
presence  of  the  garrison. 

1839.— July  2nd,  a  son-in-law  of  the  chief  of  the  Lake 
Calhoun  band  was  waylaid  and  killed  near  Lake  Harriet  by  two 
Chippewas,  said  to  be  sons  or  step-sons  of  the  man  who  was 
shot  at  Quinn's  the  summer  before.  They  belonged  to  Hole- 
in-the-Day's  band. 

A  few  days  before  this  man  was  killed,  several  bands  of 
Chippewas,  consisting  of  men,  women  and  children,  met  at 
Fort  Snelling  to  transact  business  with  the  officers  of  the 
garrison.  Hole-in-the-Day  and  his  people  came  down  the 
Mississippi  in  canoes.  The  Mille  Lacs  band  came  across  by 
land,  and  others  came  down  the  St.  Croix  and  up  the  Mississippi. 
They  all  started  for  home  at  the  same  time,  each  party  return- 
ing by  the  way  it  came. 

The  Mille  Lacs  Indians  and  those  who  came  down  the 
Mississippi,  encamped  the  first  night  at  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony, 
and  some  of  the  Dakotas  who  paid  them  a  visit  there  complained 
to  Maj.  Taliaferro  that  the  Chippewas  treated  them  in  a  rude, 
unfriendly  manner.  He  advised  them  not  to  retaliate,  but  gave 
them  permission  to  avenge  themselves  in  case  any  of  their 
number  were  killed.  The  report  of  the  insulting  and  injurious 
manner  in  which  some  of  the  Dakotas  had  been  treated  b^'  the 
Chippewas  at  the  falls,  spread  rapidly  among  them,  producing 
much  excitement  and  preparing  them  for  what  followed. 

The  day  after  the  Chippewas  left  the  falls  on  their  return 
home,  two  men  belonging  to  the  party  which  came  down  the 
Mississippi,  lay  in  ambush  by  the  side  of  a  path  near  Lake 
Harriet,  and  killed  a  Dakota  as  before  stated.  While  the 
Chippewas  were  at  the  fort,  two  of  them  belonging  to  the  band 
of  Hole-in-the-Day,  were  seen  wailing  over  the  grave  of  the 
Chippewa  who  was  killed  at  Qdinn's  the  year  before.  The 
Dakotas  had  no  doubt  that  these  two  men  had  killed  the  Dakota 
at  Lake  Harriet.  They  also  believed,  and  were  right  in  their 
belief,  that  none  of  the  Chippewas,  except  those  who  came- down 
the  Mississippi,  knew  that  these  men  had  remained  behind. 
They  determined,  therefore,  not  to  follow  Hole-in-the-Day, 
who  would  be  watching  and  probably  ready  for  them,  but  to 


132  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

pursue  the  Mille  Lacs  and  St.  Croix  Indians,  who  would  suspect 
no  danger.  The  agent  had  ah*eady  given  them  perniission  to 
retaliate  in  case  any  of  them  should  be  killed.  The  military  at 
Fort  Snelling  had  no  time  to  interfere,  and  such  an  opportunity 
as  they  now  had  for  taking  a  terrible  vengeance  does  not  often 
offer  itself  in  the  course  of  Indian  warfare.  When  the  chief, 
whose  son-in-law  was  killed,  told  me  that  he  should  follow  the 
Mille  Lacs  party  because  they  would  be  ignorant  of  the  danger 
and  unprepared  for  the  encounter,  he  expressed  some  regret 
that  the  innocent  should  die  for  the  guilty,  but  probably  neither 
he  nor  any  who  went  with  him  were  less  active  or  cruel  in  the 
work  of  destruction  on  account  of  any  scruples  of  conscience. 
They  were  violating  no  rules  of  Indian  warfare.  The  Mille 
Lacs  Indians  were  Chippewas,  and  they  were  Chippewas  who 
two  years  before  had  been  guilty  of  the  treacherous  and 
cowardly  massacre  of  the  Dakotas  near  Lac  qui  Parle. 

The  same  day  that  the  man  was  killed  at  Lake  Harriet,  nearly 
all  the  able-bodied  men  of  the  Shakopee,  Eagle  Head,  Good 
Road,  Black  Dog  and  Lake  Calhoun  bands  assembled  at  the 
Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  and  orders  were  there  given  by  the  leaders 
that  no  captives  should  be  taken. 

They  overtook  the  Chippewas  on  the  morning  of  the  Fourth 
of  July  before  daylight,  but  kept  themselves  concealed,  and 
did  not  commence  the  attack  until  some  time  after  sunrise. 
They  knew  the  Chippewas  had  no  provisions,  and  that  the 
hunters  would  be  under  the  necessity  of  leaving  the  rest  of  the 
party  to  hunt  for  food. 

They  therefore  waited  until  some  time  after  the  hunters  had 
left  the  camp,  and  until  the  Avomen  and  the  few  men  who  were 
with  them  had  started  on  their  journey  with  their  baggage  on 
their  backs  before  they  attacked  them. 

The  Dakotas  raised  the  war-whoop,  but  they  said  the  Chippe- 
was did  not  at  first  seem  to  realize  their  danger,  they  stood  a 
while  with  their  burdens  on  their  backs  gazing  on  their  pur- 
suers as  though  they  did  not  know  what  to  think  of  them. 
The  Chippewas  were  thus  taken  by  surprise,  wholly  unprepared, 
and  about  seventy  of  them  were  killed.  The  slain  were  most 
of  them  women  and  children.  The  few  men  who  were  present 
defended  the  women  and  children  bravely,  and  sold  their  lives 


INDIAN    WARFARE    IN    MINNESOTA.  133 

dearly.  After  discharging  their  pieces  they  would  retreat  far 
enough  to  reload,  and  then  stand  again  on  the  defensive,  and 
continued  to  do  so  till  they  were  killed.  The  Dakotas  lost 
more  men  in  that  attack  than  they  killed. 

Most  of  the  young  women  escaped,  the  Dakotas  being  too 
much  exhausted  by  their  forced  march  to  overtake  them.  The 
Chippewa  hunters  did  not  get  to  the  scene  of  action  soon 
enough  to  take  any  part  in  the  fight,  and  the  Dakotas  avoided 
a  conflict  with  them  by  a  hasty  retreat. 

At  the  same  time  the  Kaposia  band  pursued  the  Chippewas 
who  returned  by  the  way  of  the  Mississippi  and  St.  Croix,  and 
found  them  engaged  in  a  drunken  revel.  Mr.  Aitkin,  a  well 
known  trader,  was  with  them.  They  killed  about  twenty-five 
of  them.  At  first  there  seemed  likely  to  be  a  great  slaughter 
among  the  drunken  Chippewas,  but  the  excitement  and  alarm 
seemed  to  sober  them,  and  they  finally  repulsed  the  assailants, 
and  pursued  them  some  distance  on  their  retreat.  In  both 
these  attacks  the  Dakotas  lost  twenty-three  men ;  the  Chippe- 
was nearly  a  hundred — most  of  them  women  and  children. 

1840. — In  March,  seven  Dakotas  from  Red  Wing  killed  a 
Chippewa  woman  and  her  two  sons. 

June  17th,  a  Dakota  named  Longfoot  and  his  wife  were 
killed  by  Chippewas  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  near 
the  mouth  of  the  brook  between  Mendota  and  St.  Paul'.  This 
year  the  Potawatomies  killed  two  Dakota  women  near  the  Blue 
Earth  River,  and  carried  off  two  children. 

During  the  summer  a  war  party  from  Wabasha  fell  in  with 
a  war  party  of  Chippewas,  and  two  were  killed  on  each  side. 

1841. — April  8th,  three  Chippewas  came  down  the  Mississippi 
in  a  canoe  which  they  left  between  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony 
and  Minnehaha,  and  hid  themselves  in  the  night,  in  some 
bushes,  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  near  a  foot  path,  about  a 
mile  above  Fort  Snelling.  The  next  morning  as  Kai-bo-kah, 
a  Dakota  chief,  with  his  son  and  another  Indian,  was  passing 
by  the  place  where  the  Chippewas  lay  in  ambush,  they  killed 
his  son  and  mortally  wounded  him.  The  Chippewas  did  not 
stay  to  take  their  scalps.  I  was  on  the  spot  before  either  of 
the  men  were  dead,  and  saw  the  Chippewas  leave  the  place 
loading  their  guns  as  they  ran. 


134  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

May  nth,  a  war  party  from  Kaposia  fell  in  with  two  Chippe- 
was  and  killed  one  of  them,  but  lost  two  of  Big  Thunder's 
sons.  Big  Thunder  was  the  chief  of  the  Kaposia  Indians  and 
father  of  Little  Crow. 

May  16th,  a  large  war  party  from  the  Lake  Calhoun,  Good 
Road  and  Black  Dog  bands  killed  two  Chippewa  girls  at 
Pokegama  and  lost  two  of  their  own  men.  In  July  a  war 
party  from  Kaposia  killed  a  Chippewa  below  the  mouth  of  the 
»St.  Croix.  In  the  course  of  the  summer,  fiv  e  Dakotas  who  went 
out  against  the  Potawatomies,  were  all  killed. 

In  the  fall,  the  Dakotas  from  Petit  Rocher  (near  Fort 
Ridgely)  killed  thirteen  Potawatomies.  About  the  same  time 
two  Dakotas  from  Lac  qui  Parle  were  killed  by  Chippewas  in 
the  night  while  they  were  out  on  a  hunting  expedition. 

Near  the  same  time  a  war  party  from  Lac  qui  Parle  had  one 
of  their  number  killed. 

1842. — March  14th,  a  war  party  from  Kaposia  killed  one 
Chippewa  and  lost  one  Dakota,  a  son  of  Eagle  Head,  a  chief. 

In  June,  the  Chippewas  made  an  attack  on  Big  Thunder's 
band  at  Kaposia  and  killed  ten  men,  two  women  and  one  child. 
They  lost  four  in  the  fight.  In  the  fall  the  Chippewas  killed 
one  Dakota  near  Lac  Travers. 

1843. — In  April,  the  Chippewas  killed  a  Dakota  child  near 
Kandiyohi. 

In  June,  a  Chippewa  war  party  killed  two  Dakotas  at  the 
fording  place  of  the  Chippewa  River,  near  Lac  qui  Parle.* 

About  the  same  time  the  Dakotas  killed  a  Chippewa  on  Rum 
River,  and  lost  one  of  their  own  men. 

1844. — In  the  winter,  Hole-in-thb-Day's  band  killed  a  Lac 
qui  Parle  Indian. 

In  April,  four  Dakotas  from  Little  Rapids  (Carver)  killed  a 
Chippewa  opposite  the  mouth  of  Rum  River. 

I  continued  to  keep  a  record  of  the  nuijabers  slain  on  both 
sides  so  long  as  the  Indians  remained  in  this  region ;  but  what 
I  have  here  given  is  sufficient  to  show  the  nature  and  ordinary 
results  of  Indian  warfare  as  it  was  carried  on  in  Minnesota. 
The  Indians  spent  a  great  deal  of  time  in  war,  but  their 
attempts  to  kill  their  enemies  were  not  often  very  successful. 


INDIAN    WARFARE    IN    MINNESOTA.  1^5 

A  very  large  majority  of  war  parties  returned  without  scalps, 
and  of  such  parties  I  have  kept  no  record. 

Small  parties  were  usually  more  successful  than  large  ones, 
as  they  could  move  with  more  celerity  and  secrecy.  If  the 
party  was  small  it  generally  withdrew  precipitately,  after 
striking  a  single  blow,  or  as  soon  as  the  enemy  was  alarmed 
whether  it  had  succeeded  in  taking  a  scalp  or  not.  If  the 
party  was  a  very  strong  one,  and  supplied  with  provisions,  it 
might,  after  killing  one  or  more,  wait  a  while  for  an  attack,  but 
it  was  not  the  practice  of  the  Indians,  after  having  taken  one 
or  more  scalps,  to  go  on  farther  in  quest  of  more,  or  remain 
in  the  enemies'  countiy  after  being  discovered. 

No  matter  how  many  were  in  a  war  party,  nor  how  far  they 
had  traveled  in  pui'suit  of  the  enemy,  if  a  single  scalp  was 
taken  the  expedition  was  not  considered  a  failure.  Dakota 
war  parties  were  seldom  led  b}^  the  chiefs,  though  they  some 
times  accompanied  them.  They  were  led  by  volunteers,  who 
claimed  to  receive  their  commission  by  revelation  from  some 
superior  being  who  commanded  them  to  make  war,  and  promised 
them  success.  When  such  a  leader  offered  himself,  the  warriors 
could  do  as  they  pleased  about  following  him.  If  they  had 
confidence  in  his  abilities,  or  credentials,  he  could  raise  a  large 
party.  If  not,  he  could  get  few  followers.  His  office  lasted 
only  during  the  time  of  the  expedition.  Sometimes  a  few 
young  men  started  off  to  look  for  scalps  without  the  usual 
formalities  and  without  a  leader.  Such  small  unauthorized 
parties  were  quite  as  likely  to  be  successful  as  any.  . 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  above  record  that  the  Indians  seldom 
fought  sanguinary  battles.  They  had  no  desire  to  fight  battles 
where  the  forces  on  both  sides  were  nearly  equal.  Such  battles 
they  carefully  avoided.  If  two  war  parties  met,  as  they  some- 
times did,  the  meeting  was  accidental.  In  such  a  case  there 
might  be  a  little  skirmishing,  but  seldom  severe  fighting.  It 
was  not  their  custom  to  look  for  armed  men  who  were  prepared 
to  receive  them. 

Since  I  have  lived  at  Shakopee,  the  Chippewas  killed  a 
Dakota  as  he  was  in  his  canoe  fishing  in  the  river  near  my 
house.  The  event  was  immediately  known,  but  though  this  was 
a  strong  band,  much  stronger  than  any  war  party  of  Chippewas 


I 


136  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

was  likely  to  be,  they  did  not  venture  to  attack  them.  The 
Chippewas  spent  the  night  not  far  from  here,  and  though  the 
Dakotas  followed  them  a  little  way  the  next  day,  they  were 
careful  not  to  overtake  them. 

At  another  time  two  men  went  over  the  river  to  hunt,  and 
one  of  them  soon  returned  and  reported  that  his  companion  had 
been  killed  very  near  here  by  the  Chippewas,  yet  they  all 
waited  twenty-four  hours  before  they  ventured  to  bring  home 
the  dead  body.  In  both  these  cases  they  were  afraid  of  being 
drawn  into  ambush  by  a  strong  party  of  the  enemy. 

They  behaved  differently  when  they  were  attacked  here  by 
Chippewas  in  the  spring  of  1858,  but  they  were  then  encouraged 
by  the  presence  of  many  white  men,  and  perhaps  were  ashamed 
to  refuse  to  cross  the  river  and  attack  the  enemy  while  so  many 
spectators  were  looking  on. 

When  the  Dakota  was  killed  at  Lake  Harriet,  I  was  there  a 
few  minutes  after  he  was  killed,  and  saw  in  the  tall  grass  the 
trail  of  the  Chippewas  leading  to  a  small  cluster  of  young 
poplars.  There  were  no  tracks  leading  from  the  grove,  and  all 
knew  that  they  were  there.  We  afterwards  learned  that  they 
remained  there  till  dark.  I  urged  the  Indians  to  try  to  kill 
them,  but  though  there  were  as  many  as  fifty  armed  Dakotas, 
they  refused  to  go  near  them,  and  leaving  them  to  escape, 
started  off  in  pursuit  of  the  Mille  Lacs  Indians. 

Indeed  Indians  consider  it  foolhardiness  to  make  an  attack 
where  it  is  certain  that  some  of  them  will  be  killed. 

Bloody  battles  were  seldom  fought  by  them  except  when  the 
party  attacked  rallied  and  made  an  unexpected  resistance. 
They  occasionally  performed  exploits  which  none  but  brave 
men  would  undertake,  and  often  fought  with  desperate  valor  in 
self-defence  or  in  defence  of  their  families. 

From  the  list  of  the  slain  which  I  have  given,  it  will  appear 
that  the  Indian  warfare  in  this  region  for  ten  years,  commenc- 
ing in  1835,  was  not  attended  with  any  very  great  destruction 
of  human  life,  yet  from  what  could  be  gathered  from  their  own 
traditions  it  was  a  fair  specimen  of  what  their  wars  had  been 
from  time  immemorial.  Both  Chippewas  and  Dakotas  com- 
plained that  the  efforts  of  our  Government  to  promote  peace 
between  the  two  tribes,  rendered  their  condition  more  insecure 


»         INDIAN    WARFARE    IN   MINNESOTA.  137 

than  when  each  one  was  left  to  take  care  of  himself.  That 
precarious  peace  often  exposed  them  to  dangers  which  in  a 
state  of  open  war  they  w«uld  have  avoided. 

When  Col.  Snelling  was  in  command  at  the  fort  he  inflicted 
summary  punishment  on  several  Dakotas  who  had  fired  on  a 
company  of  Chippewas  who  were  encamped  under  the  walls 
of  Fort  Snelling.  They  were  arrested  and  handed  over  to  the 
Chippewas,  who  shot  them  by  the  river,  just  above  the  fort,  and 
their  dead  bodies  were  thrown  over  the  precipice  by  the  soldiers 
of  the  garrison. 

This  prompt  and  severe  act  of  Col.  Snelling's  made  a  salu- 
tary impression  on  the  minds  of  both  Chippewas  and  Dakotas, 
and  for  a  time  there  was  a  suspension  of  hostilities,  at  least  among 
those  Indians  who  lived  at  no  great  distance  from  the  fort. 
But  the  war  was  gradually  renewed,  and  froiii  1835  onward 
there  were  probably,  including  the  massacre  on  Rum  River, 
quite  as  many  killed  as  there  would  have  been  if  there  had 
been  no  United  States  troops  in  the  country. 

Such  a  slaughter  as  that  of  the  Mille  Lacs  Indians  could 
hardly  have  been  in  the  ordinary  course  of  Indian  warfare. 
The  Chippewas  would  not  have  brought  their  women  and  chil- 
dren into  the  heart  of  the  enemies'  country  and  left  them 
unprotected,  if  they  had  not  depended  on  the  garrison  at  the 
fort  for  protection.  There  was  another  thing  which  caused  the 
death  of  many  whose  lives  would  have  been  spared,  if  our 
Government  had  left  the  Indians  to  prosecute  their  wars  in 
their  own  way.  They  were  compelled  to  restore  all  captives 
taken  in  war,  and  the}^  preferred  scalps  around  which  they 
could  dance,  to  captives  whom  they  could  not  retain.  This  was 
the  avowed  reason,  and  doubtless  the  true  reason  why  none  of 
the  Mille  Lacs  Indians  were  captured.  For  iipiany  years,  with 
very  few  exceptions,  neither  Dakotas  nor  Chippewas  spared 
any  of  their  enemies  who  fell  into  their  hands,  and  this 
indiscriminate  slaughter  of  all  women  and  children  would 
materially  increase  the  number  of  the  slain. 

I  think  we  may  reasonably  conclude  that  the  loss  of  life  in 

the  war  carried  on  between  the  Dakotas  and  their  enemies,  was 

not  much,  if  any  less,  most  of  the  time  after  Fort  Snelling  was 

built,  than  it  was  before.     We  know  that  Indian  wars  have 

18 


138  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

sometimes  been  very  destructive  of  human  life.  Weak  tribes 
have  been  nearly  exterminated.  But  these  cases  were  rare. 
Indian  wars  are  prosecuted  with  the  utmost  caution  on  both 
sides.  Even  war  parties  are  very  careful  to  keep  out  of  danger, 
and  every  child  is  taught  from  infancy  to  be  always  on  guard 
against  the  wiles  of  the  enemy.  This  constant  watchfulness 
renders  it  very  difficult  to  take  them  by  surprise.  No  indica- 
tion of  the  proximity  of  an  enemy  is  unheeded.  Every  unusual 
alarm  among  beasts  or  birds  is  noticed,  and  every  suspicious 
track  is  carefully  examined.  Such  suspicious,  incessant  watch- 
fulness is  the  source  of  many  false  alarms,  but  it  tends  greatly 
to  their  security,  so  that  though  the  Indians  spend  much  time 
in  war,  they  spend  most  of  that  time  in  vain,  and  as  I  have 
said  before,  a  large  majority  of  war  parties  return  without 
scalps. 

The  Dakotas  had  traditionary  accounts  of  very  few  battles 
where  many  were  killed,  yet  such  an  event,  if  it  occurred, 
would  not  be  soon  forgotten.  They  often  spoke  of  an  attack 
made  by  the  Chippewas  long  ago,  on  a  party  of  Dakotas  who 
were  encamped  by  the  Mississippi,  where  Prescott  now  stands, 
in  which  many  Dakotas  were  killed.  Also  of  a  very  successful 
winter  campaign  made  by  them  against  the  Chippewas  some 
seventy  or  eighty  years  ago.  But  they  told  of  very  few  great 
battles  or  great  slaughters,  and  had  preserved  no  definite 
account  of  the  number  killed.  It  is  probable  that  some  years, 
perhaps  often,  they  lost  more  by  murder  and  suicide  than  by 
war. 

Some  persons  who  have  resided  in  this  country  during  the 
last  thirty-five  or  forty  years,  will  remember  many  interesting 
incidents  connected  with  Indian  hostilities,  and  if  any  of  them 
read  this  paper  they  may  wonder  why  so  many  of  these  events 
are  passed  over  in  silence.  But  to  relate  them  all  with  any 
particularity  would  require  a  large  volume,  and  my  purpose 
was  only  to  write  a  short  article. 

Shakopee,  March,  1870. 


FORT    SNELLING. 

COL.  LEAVENWORTH'S  EXPEDITION  TO  ESTABLISH 
IT,  IN  1819. 

BY  MAJ.  THOMAS  FORSYTH,  INDIAN  AGENT. 


NOTE  BY   THE   COMMITTEE   ON  PUBLICATION. 

The  accompanying  valuable  and  interesting  narrative  was  first 
published  in  the  Wisconsin  Historical  Collections  in  1872,  but  as  it 
'closely  relates  to  Minnesota  History,  it  is  too  important  to  pass  by 
without  including  it  in  the  publications  of  this  Society.  We  have 
retained  mo.st  of  the  foot  notes  6f  Dr.  Lyman  C.  Draper,  the  editor 
of  the  publications  of  the  Wisconsin  Historical  Society  (whose  re- 
search and  learning  in  the  department  of  Western  history  are  perhaps 
unequalled,)  and  have  added  some  additional  notes  that  seemed 
necessary. 

Concerning  the  author  of  the  narrative.  Dr.  Draper  says : 

Maj.  Thomas  Forsyth  was  born  in  Detroit,  Dec.  5,  1771.  His 
father,  Wm.  Forsyth,  was  from  Blackwater  town,  Ireland;  the 
family  was  originally  Scotch,  and  Presbyterians.  Wm.  Forsyth 
migrated  to  New  York  about  1750,  and  was  under  Gen.  Wolfe  at  the 
capture  of  Quebec  in  1759,  and  was  twice  wounded  in  the  conflict,  and 
was  subsequently  stationed  in  Detroit.  On  the  expiration  of  his  term 
of  service,  he  settled  there,  and  married  the  widow  Kinzie,  grand- 
mother of  the  late  John  H.  Kinzie,  of  Chicago.  He  long  kept  a  tavern, 
and  engaged  in  trading;  and  during  the  Revolution,  sympathising 
with  the  Americans,  he  was  for  a  long  time  imprisoned,  with  James 
Abbot,  but  finally  liberated.  He  died  at  Detroit  about  1790,  leaving 
several  children,  among  them  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Thomas 
Forsyth  engaged  while  yet  young  in  the  Indian  trade,  and  spent  sev- 
eral winters  on  Saginaw  Bay,  and,  as  early  as  1798,  wintered  on  an 
island  in  the  Mississippi,  four  or  five  miles  below  Quincy,  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Fabius.  His  first  partner  in  trading  was  one  Richard- 
son, and  then  his  step-son,  John  Kinzie,  and  Robert  Forsyth;  and 
about  1802,  they  established  a  trading  post  at  Chicago.  About  1804, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Keziah  Malotte,  near  Maiden, 
and  subsequently  settled  as  a  trader  at  Peoria.  Maj.  Forsyth,  in  his 
Journal,  speaks  with  honest  indignation  against  the  capture  of  him- 
self, family  and  the  French  people  of  Peoria,  in  1812,  by  Capt.  Craig. 

After  the  war,  Maj.  Forsyth  was  many  years  Indian  Agent  for  the 

Sauks  and  Foxes ;  and  had  he  been  continued  over  them,  it  is  believed, 

the  Sauk  war  of  1832  would  never  have  occurred.     He  died  at  St. 

Louis,  Oct.  29,  1833,  in  the  sixty-second  year  of  his  age,  his  wife 

19 


140  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

having  four  years  preceded  him  to  the  grave.  They  had  three  sons 
and  one  daughter;  only  the  second  child,  Col.  Robert  Forsyth,  sur- 
vives, on  his  line  farm  near  St.  Louis.  From  him  the  Journal  now 
published,  and  many  important  documents  concerning  the  Sanks  and 
Foxes,  were  obtained.  Maj.  Thomas  Forsyth,  in  his  long  connec- 
tion with  Indian  affairs,  and  by  his  writings  on  the  history  of  Indian 
tribes  of  the  North  West,  rendered  his  country  important  service. 


Having  received  instructions  from  the  Department  of  War, 
to  ship  on  board  a  steamboat  destined  to  transport  provisions, 
etc.,  for  an  establishment  to  be  made  at  the  mouth  of  St. 
Peter's  river,  a  certain  quantity  of  goods,  say  $2,000  worth,  to 
be  delivered  by  me  to  the  Sioux  Indians  residing  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi above  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  those  who  reside  on  the , 
lower  part  of  river  St.  Peter's,  in  payment  of  lands  ceded  by 
the  Sioux  Indians  to  the  late  Gen.  Pike  for  the  United  States. 
The  owners  of  the  steamboats,  finding  it  was  impracticable  to 
navigate  such  craft  on  the  upper  parts  of  the  Mississippi  river, 
changed  their  plans,  and  commenced  transporting  the  provi- 
sions in  keel  boats.  Finding  that  no  steamboats  could  get  up 
the  different  rapids,  and  that  the  contractor  had  commenced  to 
employ  keels,  I  hired  a  boat  and  crew,  bought  provisions,  and 
was  ready  by  the  third  of  June,  but  some  of  my  men  having 
received  some  money  in  advance,  they  thought  proper  to  go 
out  of  the  way,  b}^  which  means  I  was  detained  until  the 
seventh,  when  I  got  a  crew  together,  and  sent  them  out  of  town 
to  be  prepared  for  next  morning. 

Tuesday,  8th  June.  About  sunset  I  hoisted  sail,  and  had  a 
fine  breeze  all  day  ;  found  the  water  uncommonly  high  for  the 
season,  the  current  strong,  yet  we  made  an  excellent  day's 
journey,  having  come  27  miles. 

Wednesday,  9th.  Called  at  Portage  des  Sioux  to  enquire 
of  Mr.  Le  Claire  if  he  had  heard  from  A.  B.^ ;  breakfasted 
with  him  and  proceeded  on,  encamped  about  three  miles  above 
mouth  of  Illinois  river  ;  distance  to-day  18  miles. 

Thursday,  10th.  Met  six  discharged  soldiers  from  the  Rifle 
Regiment  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  descending  the  Mississippi  in  a 

1  Probably  the  Mr.  Brown  who  joined  the  party  on  the  18th.  L.  C.  D. 


MAJ.  Forsyth's  narrative.  141 

canoe  ;  wind  fair  but  light ;   encamped  at  sundown  above  Cap 
au  Gre  ;  distance  to-day  30  miles. 

Friday,  11  th.  Set  out  early  this  morning  with  a  fair  wind  ; 
it  soon  came  around  ahead ;  we  encamped  within  15  miles  of 
Clarksville  ;  distance  to-da^^  24  miles. 

Saturday,  r2th.  The  water  continues  high,  and  current 
strong ;  no  bottom  for  poles  in  places  ;  arrived  at  Clarksville 
in  the  afternoon  ;  remained  there  all  night.  Came  to-day  fifteen 
miles. 

Sunday,  13th.  Mr.  Brown  embarked  on  board  to  go  up  to 
Fort  Edwards  ;  wind  fair ;  saw  several  lodges  of  Indians  at 
Louisianaville ;  some  followed  us  and  came  on  board,  insisted 
on  getting  some  liquor,  they  being  already  half  drunk.  Dis- 
tance to-day,  thirty-six  miles. 

Monday,  14th,  Visited  Hannibal  in  passing ;  a  fair  wind 
sprung  up.  Pleasant  in  the  forenoon ;  thunder,  with  rain  in 
the  afternoon.  Stopped  at  Two  Rivers.  Saw  some  lowas ; 
got  some  venison  from  them.  Encamped  at  Wa-con-daw 
Prairie.     Distance  to-day  thirty-six  miles. 

Tuesday,  15th.  Thunder  and  rain  ;  wind  fair  occasionally, 
but  light.  Encamped  within  nine  miles  of  Fort  Edwards ; 
came  about  forty  miles  to-da}'. 

Wednesday,  16th.  Arrived  at  Fort  Edwards.  Delivered 
several  articles  to  Mr.  Bett  and  others,  brought  up  from  St. 
Louis  for  them  ;  stayed  there  about  three  hours,  and  was  much 
disappointed  in  not  being  a  magistrate,  there  being  a  couple 
verj'  anxious  of  being  married.  I  really  pitied  their  case. 
Some  Sacs  and  Iowa  Indians  have  planted  corn  near  the  Fort 
where  they  reside,  and  they  go  occasionally  down  to  the  settle- 
ments, bring  up  whisky,  get  drunk  and  insult  those  who  reside 
in  the  fort.  A  few  troops  would  be  well  stationed  at  this  place, 
as  it  would  keep  the  Indians  in  awe,  and  might  be  the  occasion 
of  preventing  many  accidents.  Understood  that  many  Sacs 
had  gone  to  Detroit ;  encamped  at  sundown  about  the  middle 
of  the  Rapids.     Distance  to-day  eighteen  miles. 

Thursday,  17th.  Set  out  early;  met  Madam  Boilvin^  near 
upper  end  of  Rapids  ;   she  is  going  down  to  St.  Louis  for  her 

1  Nicholas  Boilvin  was  Indian  Agent  and  Magistrate  at  Prairie  du  Chien  at  that 
time.    He  died  in  May,  1827.  W. 


142  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

health.  Wind  fair  part  of  the  day;  encamped  opposite  the 
Arrowstone  Prairie.    Thirty-two  miles  to-day. 

Friday,  18th.  Wind  hard  against  us  ;  made  only  15  miles 
to-day. 

Saturday,  19th.  The  waters  apparently  higher  here  than 
below  ;  weather  very  warm  ;  wind  light  but  ahead  ;  musquitoes 
worse  than  I  ever  saw  them.  Made  only  21  miles  to-day  ;  en- 
camped above  the  first  Yellow  Banks. 

Sunday,  20th.  Weather  still  ver}'  warm  ;  had  the  sail  up  and 
down  several  times.  Met  Mr.  Davenport's  men  returning 
home  to  St.  Louis.  Met  the  Black  Thunder  and  some  fol- 
lowers, all  Foxes,  going  down  to  St.  Louis  in  three  canoes ; 
the}^  immediately  returned  when  they  met  me ;  encamped  a 
little  above  the  Iowa  river  ;   18  miles  was  this  day's  progress. 

Monday,  21st.  We  were  off  by  time  this  morning ;  three 
Saukies  overtook  us  on  their  way  from  hunting,  bound  up  to 
their  village  on  Rocky  river  ;  current  strong  to-day — made  only 
24  miles  ;  encamped  at  upper  end  of  Grand  Mascoutin. 

Tuesday,  22d.  The  men  have  been  complaining  of  the 
length  of  the  days.  I  told  them  that  this  was  the  longest  day 
of  the  year,  and  of  course  every  day  afierwards  would  be 
shorter.  They  said  they  were  glad  to  hear  such  good  news, 
and  wished  to  know  how  I  knew  this.      Made  27  miles  to-day. 

Wednesday,  23d.  Being  detained  yesterday  awhile  by  a 
head  wind,  I  was  not  able  to  reach  Fort  Armstrong,  aiid  one 
of  the  men  still  being  sick  retarded  the  progress  of  the  boat ; 
indeed  a  strong  current  to  stem,  a  bad  going  boat,  and  one  man 
sick,  makes  tedious  work.  I  arrived  at  Fort  Armstrong  about 
12  o'clock,  and  sent  for  the  Fox  and  Sac  chiefs  to  meet  me 
next  morning  to  receive  their  annuities. 

Thursday,  24th.  The  chiefs  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  arrived 
this  morning,  and  delivered  their  annuities.  I  then  informed 
them  that  the  white  man,  who  killed  the  Indians  near  Bear 
Creek  last  winter,  was  committed  to  jail  for  trial,  yet  I  had  no 
objection  to  make  a  present  to  the  relatives  of  the  deceased 
Indians.  The  chiefs  were  much  pleased  with  all  this.  Towards 
evening  the  whole  began  to  disperse,  and  what  astonished  me 
much,  not  a  soul  asked  for  a  dram,  as  I  well  knew  there  were 


I 


MA  J.  FORSYTH'S    NARRATIVE.  143 

many  wet  souls  among  them,  particularly  my  old  acquaintance 

QUASH-QUA-MIE. 

Friday,  25tli.  Early  this  morning  two  Indians,  accompanied 
by  the  Lance^  and  Qdash-qua-mie,^  came  to  me,  and  were 
pointed  out  by  the  latter  as  being  the  brothers  of  the  Indian 
who  was  killed  near  Bear  Creek  last  winter  by  S.  Thompson,  to 
whom  I  gave  some  goods,  observing  to  them  that  those  goods 
now  lying  before  them  were  to  cover  their  dead  brother,  and  if 
they  thought  they  could  not  forget  the  death  of  their  brother, 
not  to  accept  of  the  goods  ;  if,  on  the  contrary,  they  accepted 
the  goods,  they  must  forever  forget  the  injury,  and  not  to  say 
hereafter,  "  an  American  killed  my  brother."  This  they  agreed 
to  in  presence  of  their  chiefs,  the  Lance  and  Qoash-qua-mie. 
Immediately  embarked  and  set  out ;  the  old  Lance  came  a  few 
miles  with  me,  and  I  gave  the  old  man  a  few  little  things  for 
his  own  family,  for  which  he  was  very  thankful.  Several  other 
canoes  with  Indians  on  board  of  them  followed  me  a  consid- 
erable distance,  asking  for  every  thing  they  could  think  of.  To 
each  I  had  to  give  a  little — they  were  principally  Foxes  ;  by 
which  means  I  was  much  retarded,  and  as  the  Mississippi  was 
raising,  the  current  was  very  strong  and  the  boatmen  labored 
very  hard,  and  at  sundown  I  had  got  half  way  up  the  Rapids 
— distance  9  miles. 

Saturday,  26th.     We  set  out  early  and  found  the  upper  part 

ISham-oa^  or  The  Lance,  of  the  Missouri  band  of  Sauks.  L.  C.  D. 

2  QuASH-QUA-MiE,  or  the  Jumping  Fish,  was  a  chief  of  some  note  among  the  Sauks, 
of  the  Missouri  band.  He  signed  the  treaty  of  1S04  at  St.  Louis,  by  which  a  large 
tract  of  country  of  the  Sauks  east  of  the  Mississippi,  comprehending  about  fifty 
millions  of  acres,  were  ceded  to  the  United  States.  Black  Hawk  and  others  of  the 
Rock  River  bands  stoutly  protested  that  the  chiefs  were  drunk  and  knew  not  what 
they  did,  and  the  nation  was  not  properly  represented,  and  proved  the  origin  of 
many  difficulties,  and  probably  of  the  alienation  of  the  Rock  river  Sauks  in  the  war 
of  1812.  Quash-qua-mie's  band  aimed  to  remain  neutral  during  the  war,  but  it  is 
probable  that  some  of  the  young  warriors  got  drawn  into  it.  Quash-qua-mie 
signed  the  treaties  at  Portage  Des  Sioux,  in  September,  1815;  that  at  Fort  Arm- 
strong, in  September,  1822:  and  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  in  August,  1825.  The  last 
chirge  of  distributing  rations  to  him  by  Maj.  Forsyth,  the  Indian  agent,  was  in 
1829;  and  he  died  opposite  Clarksville,  Missouri,  about  the  commencement  of  1830. 
He  evidently  was  not  living  in  July  of  that  year,  when  the  treaty  with  his  people 
was  held  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  as  his  name  does  not  appear  among  the  signatures. 
He  is  represented  by  those  who  knew  him  as  not  tall,  but  heavily  formed;  not  intel- 
lectual, nor  did  he  appear  to  possess  any  of  the  traits  of  a  noble  warrior.  He  was  a 
great  beggar,  of  little  influence  among  his  people,  with  a  character  not  always  free 
from  tarnish.  ^-  ^-  ^- 


144  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

of  the  Rapids  very  difficult  to  ascend.  I  stopped  a  while  at 
the  Little  Fox  village,  9  miles  above  the  Rapids,  gave  them  a 
few '  goods ;  they  pressed  me  much  for  some  whisky,  but  I 
refused  them,  saying  I  did  not  mean  to  give  any  Indians  any 
liquor,  as  it  occasioned  them  to  do  mischief.  Came  to-day 
about  22  miles. 

Sunday,  27th.  Yesterday  being  the  warmest  day  I  had  ex- 
perienced since  I  left  St.  Louis,  last  night  was  equally  bad  for 
musquitoes,  for  I  did  not  sleep  half  an  hour  all  night.  We  set 
out  early  this  morning,  and  with  the  assistance  of  a  side  wind 
a  few  hours  in  the  afternoon,  we  encamped  at  the  lower  end  of 
Ground  Apple  Prairie — distance  to-day,  24  miles. 

Monday,  28th.  I  set  out  as  usual  early,  but  the  water  close 
along  shore  becoming  too  deep  for  the  poles,  the  men  had  to 
pull  along  by  the  bushes,  which  was  slow  traveling ;  we  made 
out,  however,  to  come  to-day  eighteen  miles,  which  is  well 
employing  the  time,  considering  the  heavy  gusts  of  rain  we 
experienced  almost  all  the  forenoon. 

Tuesday,  29th.  Much  rain  fell  last  night  and  this  morning. 
I  had  the  sail  hoisted,  but  the  wind  being  quartering,  assisted 
us  but  little,  but  gradually  came  around  ahead ;  took  in  our 
sail,  wind  blew  so  hard  ahead  that  we  were  compelled  to  put 
on  shore,  and  lay  by  until  late  in  the  afternoon.  Two  men 
sick  to-day,  which  makes  the  work  come  harder  on  the  others. 
We  came  only  twelve  miles  to-day. 

Wednesday,  30th.  The  wind  blowing  hard  down  the  river 
all  night.  I  supposed  it  would  fall  by  sunrise.  In  this  I  was 
mistaken,  for  the  wind  blew  harder  as  the  sun  rose,  yet  we  got 
a  few  miles  to  a  safe  shelter  when  we  were  completely  wind- 
bound. 

My  interpreter,  G.  Lucie,  has  been  upwards  of  twenty-five 
years  from  Canada,  and  has  passed  most  of  his  time  about  the 
different  lead  mines  and  Prairie  du  Chien,  but  principally  in 
the  employ  of  a  Mr.  Dubuque,  who  died  some  years  ago  at 
what  is  called  Dubuque  mines.  We  made  only  twelve  miles 
to-day,  being  wind  bound  most  of  the  time. 

Thursday,  1st  July.  Arose  early  ;  appearance  of  a  fine  day. 
About  nine  o'clock  an  air  of  wind  ahead.  Saw  two  Indians 
hunting  turtle  eggs  on  a  small  sand3^  island.     The  wind  began 


MA  J.  Forsyth's  narrative.  145 

to  blow  hard.  Made  out  to  get  to  Death's-Head  creek,  where 
we  waited  three  or  four  hours  until  the  wind  abated.  Set  out, 
and  encamped  within  two  miles  of  Dubuque's  mines,  having 
come  to-day  28  miles,  which  is  good  work  after  losing  much 
time  from  head  winds.  While  laying  at  Death's-Head  creek, 
a  Fox  Indian  came  to  m}^  boat,  and  told  me  two  boats  lashed 
together  had  passed  down  the  river  last  night.  I  suppose 
these  must  be  the  contractors'  boats  returning  from  Prairie  du 
Chien,  and  going  down  to  St.  Louis. 

Friday,  2d.  I  set  out  early,  in  hopes  of  having  a  calm  day  ; 
wind  ahead  almost  all  day,  with  a  strong  current.  Met  four 
discharged  soldiers,  from  Prairie  du  Chien,  going  down  to  St. 
Louis  in  a  skiff.  They  enquired  how  far  it  was  to  the  mines. 
Told  them  10  to  12  miles.  They  said  they  had  left  Prairie  du 
Chien  yesterday,  and  that  the  5th  regiment  arrived  there  on 
Wednesday  from  Green  Bay. 

Saturday,  3d.  The  Mississippi  continues  to  be  very  high. 
Our  progress  was  much  impeded  to-day,  owing  to  the  men  not 
being  able  to  find  bottom  with  their  poles.  Encamped  about 
three  miles  above  Turkey  river.  Distance  to-day  24  miles, 
which  was  a  good  day's  journey,  as  I  was  detained  about  an 
hour  at  the  Fox  village  giving  the  Indians  some  presents. 

Sunday,  4th.  Yesterday  evening  I  saw  a  comet  similar  to 
the  one  of  1811.  It  appeared  to  me  to  be  in  the  same  quarter, 
N.  N.  W.  The  sight  of  this  comet  brought  to  my  memory  the 
disasters  that  befel  many  the  following  year,  myself  being  one 
among  the  many.  Never  shall  I  forget  the  disasters  of  the 
poor  and  unfortunate  people  of  Peoria,  a  small  village  of 
French,  on  the  Illinois  river.  After  their  property  was  taken 
by  the  Indians,  and  a  banditti  of  ruflSans  from  Shawanoe  town 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Thomas  E.  Craig,  we  were 
taken  down  (as  malefactors)  prisoners,  and  set  adrift  on  the 
shore  of  the  Mississippi  at  Savage's  ferry.  Many  poor  unfor- 
tunates, with  wives  and  three  and  four  children,  had  not  a 
blanket  to  cover  them,  nor  a  second  change  to  their  back. 
Many  of  their  kettles  and  pots  were  seen  among  Craig's  men, 
yet  they  would  not  give  them  up.  A  fellow  by  the  name  of 
Hitchcock,  with  two  or  three  other  armed  men,  went  into  a 
house,  which  was  in  charge  of  an  old  man  of  upwards  of  fifty 


146  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

years  of  age,  and  took  away  a  quantity  of  sugar.  Indeed,  I 
could  fill  pages  with  the  atrocities  committed  by  this  banditti 
at  Peoria. 

I  set  out  this  morning  with  a  view,  if  possible,  to  reach 
Prairie  du  Chien,  but  having  no  wind  in  our  favor,  and  current 
strong,  we  could  get  no  further  than  the  mouth  of  the  Ouiscon- 
sin.     Distance  to-day  24  miles. 

Monday,  5th.  I  arrived  to-day  about  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  at 
Prairie  du  Chien,  and  immediately  the  wind  sprang  up  and  blew 
a  fresh  breeze.  This  was  vexing,  as  I  had  experienced  five 
days  of  head  winds  successively.  I  found  here  waiting  my 
arrival,  the  Red  Wing's  son,  a  Sioux  Indian,  who  wished  to  be 
considered  something,  with  a  band  of  followers.  He  invited 
me  to  a  talk,  and  after  relating  the  loss  of  one  of  his  young 
men  who  was  killed  by  the  Chippewas,  he  expressed  a  wish  that 
I  would  take  pity  on  all  present,  and  give  them  some  goods. 
All  this  was  a  begging  speech.  I  told  him  that  I  meant  to  go 
up  with  the  troops  to  the  river  St.  Peter's,  and  on  my  way  up 
I  would  stop  at  their  different  villages  where  I  would  speak  to 
them,  and  give  them  a  few  goods.  Here  I  had  nothing  to  say, 
as  I  could  not  give  any  goods  at  this  place,  because  it  required 
goods  to  give  weight  to  words,  and  make  them  understand  me 
well.  Yet  he  is  such  a  beggar,  that  he  would  not  take  any 
refusal.  I  got  up  in  an  abrupt  manner,  and  left  him  and  band, 
to  study  awhile.  The  Leaf,^  the  principal  chief  of  the  Sioux, 
arrived  this  evening. 

Tuesday,  6th.  The  Kettle  chief,  with  a  band  of  Foxes, 
arrived  here  to-day,  to  make  arrangements  with  Mr.  Partney 
about  selling  him  the  ashes  at  the  different  mines.  A  boat 
belonging  to  the  contractor,  arrived  to-day,  loaded  with  pro- 
visions for  the  troops,  in  25  days  from  Wood  river. 

Wednesday,  7th.  The  contractor's  boat  left  this  day,  to 
return  to  Wood  river. 

Thursday,  8th.  A  young  Folle  Avoine^  stabbed  a  young 
Sioux  in  a  fit  of  jealousy  to-day,  near  the  fort.  He  was  in 
liquor. 

Friday,  9th.     The   Sioux  Indians  yesterday  seized  on  the 

1  Wabasha. 

2  Menomonee,  or  Wild  Rice,  tribe. 


I 


MAJ.  FORSYTH  S    NARRATIVE.  147 

Folle  Avoine  Indian  who  had  stabbed  the  young  Sioux,  and 
kept  him  in  confinement,  well  tied  and  guarded  by  a  few 
young  Sioux;  but  the  Sioux  chiefs  sent  for  the  Folle  Avoine, 
and  made  him  a  present  of  a  blanket  and  some  other  articles 
of  clothing,  and  made  him  and  the  young  Sioux  whom  he  had 
stabbed,  eat  out  of  the  same  dish  together,  thus  forgiving  and 
forgetting  the  past. 

Sunday,  11.  Every  day  since  my  arrival  at  this  place,  the 
wind  has  blown  up  the  river ;  to-day  it  came  around  south  and 
with  rain — wind  settled  at  northwest. 

Monday,  12th.  The  Red  Wing's  son  is  still  here  a  begging. 
He  invited  me  to  talk  with  him  in  council  yesterday.  This  I 
refused,  as  I  did  not  wish  to  be  troubled  with  such  a  fellow. 

Tuesday,  13th.     Much  rain  this   morning ;  wind  southwest. 

Wednesday,  14th.  Some  Winnebagoes  arrived  from  head- 
waters of  Rocky  river  and  Portage  of  Ouisconsin.  These  fel- 
lows are  scientific  beggars.     Wind  north. 

Thursday,  15th.  Yesterday  evening  the  Red  Wing's  son's 
band  of  Sioux  Indians  set  out  for  their  homes,  and  I  am  glad 
of  it,  for  they  are  a  troublesome  set  of  beggars.  The  wind 
blows  hard  from  the  north  to-day,  which  makes  it  much  cooler 
than  it  has  been  for  many  days  before. 

Friday,  16th.  The  wind  continues  to  blow  hard  from  the 
north,  and  the  weather  is  still  cool.  Two  men  arrived  this 
evening  from  Green  Bay  in  a  canoe. 

Saturday,  17th.  Mr.  Bodtillier  arrived  here  to-day  from 
Green  Bay.  Mr.  Shaw  also  arrived  here  to-day  from  St.  Louis 
in  a  canoe,  having  left  his  horses  at  Rocky  Island.  He  informs 
me  that  he  left  Bell  Fontaine  on  the  loth  ult. ;  that  the  recruits 
destined  for  Mississippi  set  out  on  the  day  before  and  may  be 
expected  shortly. 

Sunday,  18th.  Took  a  ride  out  in  the  country.  Found 
some  of  the  situations  handsome,  but  the  farmers  are  poor 
hands  at  cultivation.  Flour,  $10  per  cwt. ;  corn,  $3  per  bushel ; 
eggs,  $1  per  doz. ;  chickens,  $1  to  $1.25  a  couple.  Butter, 
none  made. 

Monday,  19th.  A  little  rain,  and  cool  all  day.  Mr.  Shaw 
left  to-day  to  return  home. 

Thursday,  22d.  A  fine  wind  up  the  river  to-day,  with  much 
20 


148  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

rain.  The  old  Red  Wing,  a  Sioux  chief,  with  about  twenty 
of  his  followers,  arrived  to-day.  This  is  another  begging  ex- 
pedition. 

Friday,  23d.  The  wind  still  up  the  river,  with  some  rain. 
The  old  Red  Wing  and  I  had  a  long  talk,  and,  as  I  supposed, 
the  whole  purport  was  begging. 

Saturday,  24th.  Having  heard  much  talk  about  Carver's 
claim  to  land  at  or  near  St.  Peter's  river,  and  understanding 
that  the  Red  Wing  knew  or  said  something  about  it  last  year, 
curiosity  led  me  to  make  enquiries  of  him,  having  now  an  oppor- 
tunity. He  told  me  he  remembered  of  hearing  his  father  say, 
that  lands  lying  on  the  east  side  of  Lake  Pepin,  known  by  the 
name  of  the  old  wintering  places,  were  given  to  an  English- 
man;  that  he  is  now  an  old  man  (about  sixty  years  of  age), 
and  does  not  himself  remember  the  transactions.  I  wished  to 
continue  the  conversation,  but  the  old  man  did  not  like  it,  and 
therefore  I  did  not  press  it. 

Monday,  26th.  Captain  Hickman  and  family  left  this  place 
to-day  in  an  open  boat  for  St.  Louis.  Wind  north,  and  another 
warm  day. 

Wednesday,  28th,     A  boat  arrived  here  from  Green  Bay. 

Thursday,  29th.  This  is  the  warmest  day  I  have  experi- 
enced this  season,  although  there  blew  a  hard  wind  up  the 
river  all  day. 

Friday,  30th.  Yesterday  evening  the  war  party  of  Foxes, 
who  had  been  on  the  hunt  of  some  of  the  Sioux  of  the  interior, 
returned  without  finding  any.  Much  wind  and  rain  this  morn- 
ing. I  returned  Mr.  Moore  three  dollars,  which  Mr.  Aird 
gave  me  last  September,  to  buy  him  some  articles,  which  could 
hot  be  procured. 

Saturday,  31st.  Wind  light  up  the  river;  no  boats,  no  re- 
cruits, no  news,  nor  anything  else  from  St.  Louis. 

Sunday,  August  1st.  Major  Marston  set  out  to-day  early 
with  t wen t3^-seven  troops  in  three  boats  to  garrison  Fort  Arm- 
strong at  Rocky  Island.  The  boat  which  brought  the  sutler's 
goods  from  Green  Bay  a  few  days  since,  set  out  to-day  to 
return  home.     Some  rain  to-day  ;  weather  warm. 

Monday,  2d.     Thank  God  a  boat  loaded  with  ordnance  and 


MAj.  Forsyth's  narrative.  149 

stores  of  different  kinds  arrived  to-day,  and  said  a  provision 
boat  would  arrive  to-morrow,  but  no  news  of  the  recruits. 

Wednesday,  4th.  This  morning  the  provision  boat  arrived. 
No  news  from  St.  Louis.  This  boat  brings  news  of  having 
passed  a  boat  with  troops  on  board  destined  for  this  place. 
Some  of  the  men  say  two  boats.     Some  rain  to-day. 

Thursday,  5th.  Much  rain  last  night.  Col.  Leavenworth^ 
is  determined  to  set  out  on  the  7th,  if  things  can  be  got  ready 
for  the  expedition  to  St.  Peter's.  The  Colonel  has  very  prop- 
erly, in  my  opinion,  engaged  the  two  large  boats  now  here,  with 
as  many  of  the  men  belonging  to  the  boats  as  will  remain  to 
accompany  the  expedition,  their  contents  being  wanted  for  the 
new  establishment  at  St.  Peters.  Without  the  assistance  of 
these  two  boats,  it  would  appear  impossible  for  the  expedition 
to  go  on. 

Friday,  6th.  Yesterday  evening  some  Frenchmen  who  would 
not  agree  to  go  any  further  up  the  Mississippi,  set  out  for  St. 
Louis  in  a  bark  canoe.  This  morning,  eight  discharged  sol- 
diers set  out  trom  this  place  for  St.  Louis  in  a  skiff. 

Saturday,  7th.  Every  exertion  was  made  to  get  off  to-day  ; 
but  impossible.     A  fine  wind  up  the  river. 

Sunday,  8th.  This  morning  the  Colonel  told  me  that  he 
would  be  ready  in  an  hour,  and  about  eight  o'clock  we  set  out 
for  river  St.  Peter's.  The  troops,  consisting  of  98  rank  and 
file,  in  fourteen  batteaux  and  two  large  boats,  loaded  with  pro- 
visions and  ordnance,  and  stores  of  different  kinds,  as  also  my 
boat  and  a  barge  belonging  to  the  Colonel,  making  seventeen 
boats  ;  and  in  the  whole.  98  soldiers  and  about  20  boatmen. 
I  felt  myself  quite  relieved  when  we  got  under  way.  We 
made  to-day  18  miles. 

Monday,  9th.  Set  out  early.  A  thick  fog;  it  cleared 
away  and  a  fair  wind  sprung  up,  when  at  times  we  made  great 

1  Gen.  Henry  Leavenworth  was  born  in  Connecticut,  Dec.  10,  1783.  When  the 
war  of  1812  broke  out,  he  was  practising  law.  He  was  commissioned  Capt.  in  the 
25th  Infantry  in  April,  1812;  promoted  to  Major  of  9th  Infantry  Aug.,  1813;  brevetted 
Lieut.  Col.  and  Col.  for  distinguished  services  at  Chippewa,  July  5, 1814,  and  at  Ni- 
agara Falls,  where  he  was  wounded.  He  was  appointed  Lt.  Col.  of  the  5th  Infantry 
Feb.,  1818.  Became  Brev.  Brig.  Gen.  July,  1824,  and  Col.  3d  Infantry  Dec.  16,  1825. 
He  established  various  military  posts  on  the  frontier,  one  of  which,  now  the  flour- 
ishing city  of  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  perpetuates  his  name.  He  died  at  Cross  Tim- 
bers, Texas,  July  21,  1834.  W. 


150  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

headway.  We  this  day  found  the  body  of  A.  Aunger,  and 
buried  it.  We  encamped  a  little  below  Iowa  river,  having 
came  to-day  35  miles. 

Tuesday,  10th.  This  day  we  set  out  late,  and  stopped  some 
time  with  the  Bourgne,  or  One-Eyed  Sioux,^  and  his  followers 
who  had  come  from  their  village  on  the  Iowa  river,  and  placed 
themselves  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  to  be  in  readiness 
to  receive  anything  we  might  have  to  give  them.  I  gave  them 
a  little  powder  and  milk,^  they  agreeing  with  me  that  it  was 
better  to  give  the  blankets,  etc.,  to  the  Indians  above,  as  they 
were  most  in  want.  We  encamped  opposite  Raccoon  creek. 
Distance  to-day  twenty-two  miles ;  we  were  assisted  by  the 
wind  to-day. 

Wednesday,  11th.  We  set  out  early  this  morning,  but  lost 
some  time  at  breakfast,  and  we  also  lost  the  wind,  as  it  fell. 

l"The  Bourgne,"  [Pr.  bourgeon,  an  eye?]  whose  Dakota  name  was  Ta-ha-ma,  or 
••The  Rising  Moose,"  though  often  called  the  "Old  Priest"  by  the  old  settlers 
and  bv  the  French,  i'O/'ig'na^  Leve,  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  men  Of  his 
nation.  He  was  a  great  orator  and  diplomatist,  and  had  much  influence  among  the 
Dakotas.  He  was  born  at  Prairie  Aux  Ailes,  (Winona,)  and  in  his  younger  days  was 
noted  for  his  intelligence,  daring  and  activity.  During  a  game  in  boyhood,  one  eye 
was  accidentally  destroyed,  giving  him  the  peculiarity  by  which  he  was  always 
known.  In  person  he  was  tall  and  of  a  fine  appearance,  muscular  and  active,  even 
to  the  day  of  his  death.  In  his  younger  days  he  performed  innumerable  feats  of 
daring,  strength  and  endurance.  He  figured  prominently  in  the  treaty  between  Pike 
and  the  Sioux  chiefs  in  1805.  Pike  refers  to  him  in  terms  of  confidence  and  respect, 
and  calls  him  "  my  friend."  During  the  war  of  1812  he  rendered  most  valuable  ser- 
vices to  the  American  cause.  With  one  exception,  he  was  the  only  Sioux  who 
remained  friendly  to  us  in  that  contest.  Gov.  Clark,  of  St.  Louis,  employed  him  as 
a  scout  and  messenger.  In  this  capacity  he  undertook  long  journeys  alone,  braved 
many  dangers  and  endured  much  hardship.  Col.  Dickson,  the  British  leader,  once 
had  him  arrested  at  Prairie  du  Chienand  threatened  him  with  death  unless  he  would 
reveal  information  he  was  supposed  to  have,  but  Ta-ha-mib  bravely  and  firmly 
refused  to  betray  his  cause.  He  was  imprisoned  some  time,  but  finally  released. 
Gov.  Clark  esteemed  his  services  highly,  and  on  May  6th,  1816,  gave  him  a  commis- 
sion as  chief  of  the  Sioux  nation,  together  with  a  Captain's  uniform  and  a  medal. 
He  kept  these  to  the  day  of  his  death,  and  was  very  proud  of  them.  His  services  to 
our  cause,  his  ability  and  intelligence,  his  high  sense  of  honor,  and  his  noble  bearing, 
all  made  him  highly  esteemed  and  respected  by  the  whites  during  his  subsequent 
life.  All  the  early  pioneers  of  the  Northwe-^t  knew  him,  and  he  was  a  welcome  guest 
at  their  houses.  A  very  good  daguerreotype  likeness  of  him,  procured  at  Wabasha 
in  1859  by  Hon.  Chas.  S.  Bryant,  has  been  presented  by  the  latter  to  the  Society. 
Ta-ha-ma  died  in  April,  1860.  He  was  then  at  least  85  years  of  age,  though  some 
who  knew  him  well  place  his  age  at  nearly  100.  His  natural  vigor  however,  was  but 
little  abated,  and  his  mind  clear,  recalling  the  stirring  events  of  his  long  and  active 
career.  At  the  name  of  Pike,  his  eye  would  kindle,  and  his  manner  become  infused 
with  animation.  W. 

2  Whisky.  L.  C.  D. 


MA  J.  Forsyth's  narrative.  151 

Some  rain  to  day.  Encamped  about  three  miles  above  Bandy 
Prairie.     Distance  to-day  eighteen  miles. 

Thursday,  12th.  The  wind  ahead.  The  large  boats  detained 
us  much  to-day,  yet  we  made  twenty-one  miles,  and  encamped 
six  miles  below  La  Montalne  qui  trempe  a  Veau. 

Friday,  13th.  We  set  out  early.  The  Mississippi  begins  to 
become  more  shallow.  The  provision  boat  occasions  much 
trouble  to-day,  owing  to  her  being  very  heavily  laden.  We 
made  the  Leaf's  village  this  evening,  a  distance  of  only  twelve 
miles.  On  my  arrival  to-day,  I  had  a  talk  with  the  Leaf.  I 
told  him  that  the  President  of  the  United  States  had  sent  me 
to  acquaint  the  Sioux  Indians  that  these  troops  which  he  saw 
encamped  on  that  island,  were  sent  up  to  build  a  fort  at  the 
mouth  of  river  St.  Peter's ;  that  he  must  not  think  that  any- 
thing bad  was  intended  ;  that  a  fort  at  St.  Peters  would  answrer 
two  purposes  for  the  Sioux — first,  it  would  be  a  place  that  any 
little  thing  they  might  want  repaired  by  the  blacksmith  would 
be  done  for  them,  and  also  be  a  place  of  trade  ;  secondly,  their 
enemies  would  not  be  allowed  to  injure  any  of  the  Sioux  Indi- 
ans at  or  near  the  fort,  but  at  the  same  time  the  Sioux  must 
not  injure  any  Chippewas  that  might  visit  the  fort ;  that  if 
their  Great  Father,  the  President,  meant  them  any  harm,  he 
would  not  send  a  man  of  my  years,  having  so  many  gray  hairs 
in  his  head  as  I  have,  to  do  anything  but  what  was  good.  Here 
(pointing  to  Col.  Leavenworth)  is  the  chief  of  the  soldiers 
belonging  to  your  Great  Father ;  should,  at  any  time,  any  of 
his  young  men  do  anything  wrong,  complain  to  him.  He  will 
render  you  every  justice  in  his  power,  and  both  him  and  myself 
will  expect  that  if  any  of  your  young  men  should  do  what  is 
not  right,  you,  as  the  head  chief,  will  render  justice  equally  in 
the  same  way  when  the  Colonel  complains  to  you. 

The  river  Mississippi  is  free  as  much  so  for  you  as  for  any 
other  Indians,  and  I  hope  all  boats  or  craft  of  any  kind  belong- 
ing to  white  people,  or  any  white  people  traveling  by  land 
through  your  country,  will  not  be  molested,  but  allowed  to 
pass  and  repass  as  they  may  think  proper. 

You  must  remember  that  all  the  white  people  on  the  other 
side  of  the  great  waters  are  now  at  peace,  and  your  Great 
Father,  the  President  of  the   United  States,  is  also  at  peace 


152  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

with  all  the  world.  Yet  he  is  prepared  for  war.  He  has  many 
soldiers,  and  at  one  blow  from  his  whistle  he  can  get  as  many 
more  soldiers  as  he  wants.  He  has  many  vessels  on  the  great 
waters,  and  every  year  is  building  more.  He  don't  wish  for  war, 
and  is  not  the  first  to  begin,  but  will  not  lay  still  and  allow  his 
young  men  to  be  killed  without  revenging  them.  You  may 
suppose  the  President  has  not  forgotten  your  assisting  the 
British  in  the  last  war  ;  but  in  this  you  are  wrong  if  you  think 
so.  You  have  made  a  treaty  of  peace  with  your  Great  Father, 
and  every  thing  is  over  ;  but  beware  of  the  bad  birds  that  come 
from  that  northern  quarter.  When  they  tell  you,  or  want  to 
tell  you  anything  that  you  think  is  bad,  put  your  fingers  in 
your  ears.  I  could  talk  to  you  all  da\^,  and  all  night  too,  on 
this  subject,  but  it  would  be  telling  you  things  that  you  know 
as  well  as  I  do.  I  have  only  to  say,  that  I  have  put  you  in 
the  straight  path,  and  if  you  leave  it,  or  make  it  crooked,  it  will 
not  be  my  fault.  Remember  well  what  I  have  this  day  told 
you,  and  all  news  that  I  may  hear  that  relates  to  you,  I  will 
always  make  you  acquainted  with.  Here  is  a  blanket,  a  pipe 
of  tobacco,  and  some  powder.  It  is  but  little,  but  you  well 
know  that  I  have  many  children  to^see  before  I  return  home, 
and  I  must  give  every  one  a  little. 

He  accepted  of  the  presents  with  thanks,  and,  after  sundown, 
he  came  aboard  of  my  boat  to  visit  me,  and  conversed  on 
many  subjects.  This  man  is  no  beggar,  nor  does  he  drink, 
and  perhaps  I  may  say  he  is  the  only  man  in  the  Sioux  nation 
of  this  description. 

Saturday,  14th.  All  the  boats  set  out  earl}^  this  morning. 
As  each  boat  passed  the  village,  they  returned  the  salute  of 
yesterday.  The  channel  of  the  river  is  becoming  more  diflicult, 
and  the  large  boats  were  much  impeded  to-day.  Although  we 
had  a  fair  wind  part  of  the  day,  we  only  came  twelve  miles, 
and  encamped  on  an  island  near  the  Tumbling  Rock. 

Sunday,  15th.  A  head  wind  to-day,  and  being  detained  by 
the  provision  boat,  encamped  a  mile  above  Driftwood  river,  a 
distance  of  ten  miles. 

Monday,  16th.  Set  out  early.  Great  appearance  of  wind. 
Hoisted  sail ;  but  of  little  use.  Encamped  at  the  Grand  En- 
campment, having  come  to-day  twenty  miles. 


MA  J.  Forsyth's  narrative.  153 

Tuesday,  17th.  We  set  out  in  a  great  fog,  and  made  the 
lower  end  of  Lake  Pepin,  a  distance  only  of  nine  miles.  We 
encamped  early  for  two  reasons  ;  first,  because  we  had  not 
time  to  cross  the  lake  ;  secondly,  because  the  soldiers  had  to 
draw  provisions  and  wash  their  dirty  linen. 

Wednesday,  18th.  This  day  was  calm  and  warm.  We 
crossed  Lake  Pepin  with  ease,  and  encamped  about  two  miles 
below  the  Red  Wing's  village.  Distance  to-day,  twenty-two 
miles. 

Thursday,  19th.  We  set  out  early  this  morning.  Had  a 
little  talk  with  the  Red  Wing  at  his  village.  Gave  him  some 
goods.  He  was  much  pleased  with  his  present.  His  son  is 
exactly  what  I  took  him  to  be — a  trifling,  begging,  discontented 
fellow.  The  weather  was  very  warm  to-day  ;  not  a  breath  of 
air  stirring,  and  one  of  my  men  sick,  yet  we  made  out  to  come 
twenty-four  miles,  and  encamped  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  St. 
Croix.  This  is  a  large  river,  and  I  am  told  heads  near  to  Lake 
Superior. 

Friday,  20th.  We  set  out  this  morning  in  a  calm.  About 
12  o'clock  the  wind  blew  up  fair  but  light,  yet  the  air  was 
much  refreshed.  We  encamped  this  evening  at  Medicine 
Wood,  a  distance  of  twenty -four  miles.  The  big  boats  did  not 
get  up  till  after  sundown.  Medicine  Wood  takes  its  name 
from  a  large  beech  tree,  which  kind  of  wood  the  Sioux  are  not 
acquainted  with,  and  supposing  that  the  Great  Spirit  has 
placed  it  there  as  a  genii  to  protect  or  punish  them  according 
to  their  merits  or  demerits. 

Saturday,  21st.  Again  we  were  early  under  way  this  morn- 
ing. The  day  was  rainy,  and  the  wind  nearly,  and  in  some 
places  quite,  ahead,  yet  the  Colonel  in  his  barge,  and  I  in  my 
boat,  made  out  to  get  to  Little  Crow's  village,  about  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  a  distance  of  twenty-one  miles.  We 
had  a  talk  with  Little  Crow.^  His  independent  manner,  I 
like.  I  made  him  a  very  handsome  present,  for  which  he  was 
very  thankful,  and  said  it  was  more  than  he  expected. 

1  This  was  the  father  of  the  chief  of  the  same  name  who  was  so  prominent  in  the 
outbreak  of  1S62,  and  met  his  death  the  year  following.  In  the  paper  by  Gen.  Siblbt 
to  be  found  in  a  subsequent  part  of  this  volume,  his  character  is  strikingly  sketched. 

W. 


154  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Sunday,  22d.  Yesterday  evening  the  Colonel  descended  to 
his  camp,  and  said  he  would  be  up  with  the  expedition  early 
this  morning  ;  but  a  very  hard  wind  ahead  prevented  the  boats 
from  being  able  to  stem  the  current,  and  continued  so  all  day. 
I  was  anxious  to  go  on,  as  we  were  only  fifteen  miles  from  St. 
Peters. 

Monday,  23d.  All  the  boats  got  up  by  8  o'clock,  and  after 
breakfast  we  set  out,  and  1  pushed  on  by  myself,  and  arrived 
at  the  mouth  of  St.  Peters  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
This  is  the  second  da^^  I  have  been  unwell. 

Tuesday,  24th.  This  morning  Col.  Leavenworth  arrived  in 
his  barge,  and  was  busily  employed  almost  all  day  in  finding  a 
proper  place  to  make  an  establishment.  He  at  length  pitched 
on  a  place  immediately  at  the  mouth  of  St.  Peter's  river,  on 
its  right  bank,  where,  on  the  arrival  of  the  soldiers,  they  were 
immediately  set  to  work  in  making  roads  up  the  bank  of  the 
river,  cutting  down  trees,  etc.     T  have  been  very  ill  to-day. 

Wednesday,  25th.  Yesterday  evening  Pinichon  and  the 
White  Bustard  arrived  with  many  followers,  and  wished  me 
to  go  to  work  immediately ;  but  it  being  late,  and  I  being  very 
unwell,  I  put  business  off  until  to-day,  when  after  a  long  talk 
I  gave  them  a  very  handsome  present,  and  they  returned  home 
apparently  satisfied. 

Thursday,  26th.  Yesterday  evening  three  chiefs  arrived 
with  many  followers,  viz. :  The  Six,^  whose  village  is  thirty 
miles  up  the  river  St.  Peter's  ;  the  Arrow,  twenty-four  miles 
still  higher,^  and  the  Killiew  (thus  named  from  a  species  of 
eagle)  whose  village  is  six  miles  still  higher.  They  wished 
to  go  about  business  immediately  ;  but  it  was  too  late.  This 
morning  we  met  and  had  some  talk,  but  I  by  no  means  liked 
the  countenance  of  Mr.  Six,  nor  did  I  like  his  talk  ;  I  gave 
them  the  remainder  of  my  goods,  yet  the  Six  wanted  more. 
Not  having  any  more,  they  had  to  do  without.  I  found  on 
enquiring  that  Mr.  Six  is  a  good-for-nothing  fellow,  and  rather 
gives  bad  counsel  to  his  young  men  than  otherwise.  In  all 
my  talks  with  those  Indians,  I  generally  told  them  the  same  I 
told  the  Leaf  ;   and  in  all  cases  I  had  to  give  each  band  a 

1  Sha-k'  pat. 
2Le  Sueur  prairie. 


MAJ.  FORSYTH'S    NARRATIVE.  155 

little  whisky.     These  are  the  last  Indians  I  am  to  see  in  this 
quarter ;  therefore  I  am  done  with  the  Sioux  for  this  year. 

Friday,  27th.  Much  rain  last  night,  and  very  blustering 
to-day,  which  prevents  my  going  up  to  visit  the  Falls,  being  a 
distance  of  nine  miles. 

Saturday,  28th.  I  set  out  early  this  morning,  accompanied 
by  Col.  Leavenworth,  Major  Vose,^  Dr.  Purcell,^  Lt.  Clark^ 
and  Mrs.  Gooding,''  to  visit  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony.  My 
boat  being  strong  manned,  we  made  good  headway,  but  the 
more  we  approached  the  Falls,  the  stronger  the  rapids  became. 
I  left  the  boat  with  one  man  to  guard  it,  and  we  set  out  by 
land,  having  only  a  distance  of  one  mile  to  walk  to  the  Falls. 
In  going  out  of  a  thick  woods  into  a  small  prairie,  we  had  a 
full  view  of  the  Falls  from  one  side  to  the  other,  a  distance  of 
about  four  or  five  hundred  yards.  The  sight  to  me  was  beau- 
tiful ;  the  white  sheet  of  water  falling  perpendicularly,  as  I 
should  suppose,  about  twenty  feet — but  Gen.  Pike  says  he 
measured  and  found  it  sixteen  and  a  half  feet — over  the  differ- 
ent precipices ;  in  other  parts,  rolls  of  water,  at  different 
distances,  falling  like  so  many  silver  cords,  while  about  the 
island  large  bodies  of  water  were  rushing  through  great  blocks 
of  rocks,  tumbling  every  way,  as  if  determined  to  make  war 
against  anything  that  dared  to  approach  them.  All  this  was 
astonishing  to  me  who  never  saw  the  like  before.  After  view- 
ing the  Falls  from  the  prairie  for  some  time,  we  approached 
nearer,  and  by  the  time  we  got  up  to  the  Falls,  the  noise  of  the 
falling  water  appeared  to  me  to  be  awful.  I  sat  down  on  the 
bank  and  feasted  my  eyes,  for  a  considerable  time,  in  viewing 
the  falling  waters,  and  the  rushing  of  large  torrents  through 
and  among  the  broken  and  large  blocks  of  rocks,  thrown  in 

1  JosiAH  H.  VosE  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  He  served  as  Captain  and  Major 
in  the  war  of  1812,  and  in  May,  1815,  was  appointed  Capt.  and  Bvt.  Maj.  in  the  5th 
Infantry.  Promoted  to  Maj.  Dec.,lS20;  Lt.  Col.  3d  Inf.  in  1830,  and  Col.  of  4th  Inf. 
1842.    He  died  July  15,  1845,  near  New  Orleans.  W. 

2 Dr.  Edward  PuRCBiiL  was  a  native  of  Virginia.  He  was  appointed  Surgeon  of 
the  Fifth  Infantry,  July,  1818,  and  stationed  at  Ft.  Snelling  after  that  post  was  estab- 
lished.   He  died  there  Jan.  11,  1825.  '  W. 

3  Lieut.  Nathan  Clark  was  Post  Commissary  for  several  years.  On  page  7T  of 
this  volume  a  sketch  of  his  life  is  given.  W. 

4  Mrs.  Gooding  is  said  to  be,  and  probably  was,  the  first  white  woman  who  ever 
saw  St.  Anthony's  Falls.  She  was  the  wife  of  Capt.  George  Gooding,  of  the  5th 
Regimen  \  W. 

21 


166  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

every  direction  by  some  great  convulsion  of  nature.  Several 
of  the  company  crossed  over  to  the  island  above  the  Falls,  the 
water  being  shallow.  The  company  having  returned  from  the 
island,  they  told  me  that  they  had  attempted  to  cross  over 
the  channel  on  the  other  side  of  the  island,  but  the  water  was 
too  deep,  and  they  say  the  greatest  quantity  of  water  descends 
on  the  other  or  north-east  side  of  the  island.  We  proceeded 
to  the  boat  and  embarked,  and  was  down  at  the  encampment 
at  sundown. 

Sunday,  29th.  I  this  day  accompanied  Col.  Leavenworth 
in  his  barge  up  the  St.  Peters  river  to  the  White  Bustard  and 
Pinichon's  villages — a  distance  to  the  first  village  of  four 
miles,  and  to  the  second  village  two  miles  higher,  at  which  the 
Colonel  enquired  if  any  horses  were  for  sale.  These  Indians, 
however,  having  few  horses,  had  none  to  dispose  of. 

Monday,  30th.  Having  fully  finished  my  business,  and  the 
Indians  preparing  to  go  off  to  their  hunting  places,  I  set  out 
to  return  home.  I  left  the  encampment  about  ten  o'clock,  and 
made  Medicine  Wood  against  a  hard  head  wind. 

Tuesday,  31st.  The  wind  is  still  ahead,  yet  we  worked 
down,  and  came  to  anchor  after  sundown,  at  the  upper  end  of 
Lake  Pepin. 

Wednesday,  Sept.  1st.  This  morning  very  early  we  heard 
the  report  of  a  cannon  on  the  other  side  of  an  island.  The 
Colonel,  who  was  on  board  of  my  boat,  said,  those  must  be 
the  expected  recruits.  We  immediately  weighed  anchor,  and 
ascended  to  the  upper  part  of  the  island,  to  get  into  the  other 
channel,  and  to  be  ahead  of  the  boats.  We  accordingly  met 
two  large  boats  and  a  batteau  with  120  recruits  on  board, 
bound  to  river  St.  Peter's.  The  Colonel  having  business  with 
the  oflEicers,  we  were  detained  about  two  hours,  and  also,  to 
aggravate  us  the  more,  the  wind  was  ahead,  a  very  bad  circum- 
stance for  us  to  cross  Lake  Pepin.  With  much  diflSculty,  we 
made  the  Little  Point  au  Sable,  where  I  came  to  in  a  good 
harbor,  with  an  expectation  that  the  wind  would  fall  towards 
evening ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  the  wind  raised  and  blew  hard 
all  night.  I  was  very  uneasy  and  did  not  sleep  all  night. 
After  daylight  I  laid  down,  and  gave  orders  to  the  patroon, 


MAJ.  FORSYTH'S    NARRATIVE.  157 

that  as  soon  as  the  wind  should  fall  safficiently,  to  set  out  and 
mak^  the  best  of  our  way. 

Thursday,  2d.  I  awoke  about  8  o'clock  this  morning,  and 
found  the  boat  under  way.  After  doubling  the  great  Point  au 
Sable,  we  worked  well  to  the  windward  shore,  and  then  hoisted 
sail.  The  wind  was  on  our  beam,  and  blew  fresh.  We 
stretched  across  the  lake,  which  was  very  boisterous,  and  we 
shipped  some  water,  yet  we  held  our  own  as  to  the  lee  way, 
and  went  on  at  an  amazing  rate,  and  the  wind  served  us  almost 
all  day,  and  found  ourselves  at  sundown  at  the  upper  end  of 
Wing  Prairie,  where  we  stopped  to  cook  some  provisions,  hav- 
ing come  to-day,  sixty  miles.  We  set  out  as  soon  as  our 
provisions  were  cooked,  and  the  men  rowed  a  considerable 
distance  down  and  then  let  the  boat  drive  with  the  current  all 
night.     The  river  is  now  higher  than  when  we  ascended. 

Friday,  3d.  Between  rowing  and  drifting  last  night,  we  came 
nine  miles,  and  from  daylight  to  sundown  to-day  we  came  sixty 
miles  more.  Met  Mr.  Robertson  to-day  ascending  the  river 
to  winter  in  river  St.  Peter's.     This  has  been  a  calm  da}^ 

Saturday,  4th.  The  current  is  strong  in  this  part  of  the 
Mississippi,  and  by  keeping  in  the  middle  of  the  channel  we 
drifted  about  twelve  miles,  when  a  gust  compelled  us  to  put  on 
shore  for  the  remainder  of  the  night ;  but  as  soon  as  daylight 
appeared  this  morning,  we  set  out  with  a  head  wind.  We  met 
Mr.  Moore,  who  returned  back  with  us,  having  forgotten  some 
papers,  and  we  arrived  at  Prairie  du  Chien  about  three  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon. 

Sunday,  5th.  Mr.  Moore  set  out  to-day  in  a  canoe  to  rejoin 
his  boat,  which  he  had  left  yesterday  when  he  met  us.  He  is 
going  up  to  winter  among  the  Yanktons  in  St.  Peter's  river. 

Monday,  6th.  A  warm  day.  I  was  much  astonished  to 
meet  my  old  friend  G.  E. ,  here  on  my  arrival  on  Saturday  last. 
He  gave  me  a  history  of  his  ups  and  downs  since  we  parted, 
about  seventeen  years  ago.  Poor  fellow,  he  has  experienced 
such  days  as  required  much  fortitude  to  support.  During  the 
late  war  he  rendered  much  service  to  the  United  States,  and, 
like  many  good  fellows,  was  poorly  recompensed  for  his  trouble. 
I  wish  him  every  success,  because  he  is  deserving  of  it.     He  is 


158  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

now  engaged  largely  in  the  Indian  trade.     He  has  a  wife  and 
six  children. 

Tuesday,  7th.  Much  rain  fell  last  night.  The  Mississippi 
has  been  raising  for  several  days.  This  day  about  11  o'clock 
1  left  Prairie  du  Chien  for  home.  At  sundown  we  had  come 
twenty-seven  miles.     Stopped  to  cook  near  Turkey  river. 

Wednesday,  8th.  Much  rain  again  last  night.  A  fine  wind 
down  the  river  to-day.  What  we  drove  last  night,  and  what 
we  made  by  sailing  to-day,  we  came  eighty-seven  miles. 

Thursday,  9th.  We  came  during  last  night  and  to-day  to  the 
head  of  Rocky  river  rapids,  being  a  distance  of  sixty-six 
miles. 

Friday,  10th.  We  set  out  early;  found  the  water  in  the 
rapids  much  troubled,  and  decently  high  for  the  season.  Ar- 
rived at  Fort  Armstrong.  Major  M.^  and  Lieut.  G.  behaved 
very  politely  to  me. 

Saturday,  11th.  I  remained  at  Fort  Armstrong  until  this 
morning,  waiting  for  papers  that  were  to  be  put  in  the  post 
office  at  St.  Louis.  Set  out ;  much  rain  to-day,  and  wind  some- 
times ahead,  yet  we  made  out  to  come  by  sundown  fifty-one 
miles. 

Sunday,  12th.  We  having  got  under  way  early  this  morn- 
ing with  a  head  wind,  which  continued  hard  all  day ;  but  we 
made  the  Flint  Hills,  therefore  we  came  during  last  night  and 
to-day  forty-two  miles. 

Monday,  13th.  We  experienced  a  very  heavy  rain  last 
evening,  but  it  cleared  up,  and  we  pushed  off.  Found  this 
morning  we  had  drifted  about  fifteen  miles.  Last  night  we  met 
a  boat  belonging  to  Col.  McNair  near  the  upper  end  of  the 
river  Des  Moines  rapids  ;  several  men  sick  ;  the  boat  was  lying 
ashore  three  miles  lower  down.  We  saw  another  boat  on 
shore  on  the  east  side  of  the  Mississippi.  We  arrived  in  the 
evening  at  Fort  Edwards,  where  stopped  a  couple  hours.  We 
came  to-day  about  thirty-three  miles. 

Tuesday,  14th.  We  set  out  from  Fort  Edwards  yesterday 
evening  after  sundown  to  drive  with  the  current ;  but  the  wind 
blew  us  on  shore,  where  we  remained  all  night.     Set  out  early 

1  Probably  Major  Mabstok.  L.  C.  D. 


MA  J.  FORSYTH*S   NARRATIVE.  l59 

with  quartern  wind  ;  we  halted  a  little  after  sundown  six  miles 
below  Saverton,  having  come  to-day  ninety-nine  miles. 

Wednesday,  15th.  We  drifted  last  night  twenty-one  miles. 
Met  Mr.  Belt  a  few  miles  above  Clarksville.  On  my  arrival 
there,  found  Mr.  Pheling  very  unwell  indeed,  and  am  told  that 
there  have  been  many  deaths  at  Louisianaville.  The  people 
all  through  this  country  are  very  sickly  ;  at  sundown  we  were 
six  miles  above  Gap  au  Chre^  having  come  last  night  and  to- 
night seventy-two  miles. 

Thursday,  16th.  Having  drifted  about  twelve  miles  last 
night,  and  made  some  narrow  escapes  from  sawyers  at  the  head 
of  Cap  au  Gre  island,  which  gave  me  much  uneasiness  during 
the  night,  set  out  early  with  the  intention  of  getting  down  to 
St.  Louis,  if  possible,  for  which  reason  I  would  not  stop  at 
Portage  des  Sioux,  and  the  men  worked  hard,  but  finding  we 
could  not  arrive  there  until  after  sundown,  I  thought  it  pru- 
dent to  encamp  above  Isle  au  Cabare,  not  wishing  to  endanger 
the  boat  in  the  dark. 

Friday,  17th.  We  arrived  at  St.  Louis  about  8  o'clock  this 
morning,  after  an  absence  of  three  and  a  half  months. 

From  the  extreme  heat  of  the  summer  I  am  much  surprised 
that  I  and  my  men  were  not  more  sick  than  we  were  ;  for  let 
any  man  who  is  accustomed  to  traveling  in  a  boat  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi for  three  and  a  half  months  during  a  very  warm  sum- 
mer, drinking  very  bad  water,  sleeping  out  in  the  dews  to 
avoid  being  devoured  by  musquitoes,  and  to  get  but  little  rest 
during  the  short  nights,  and  say  that  such  hardships  are  not 
sufficient  to  ruin  the  constitution  of  any  man  ;  and  it  must  be 
people  who  have  been  bred  to  the  like  who  are  able  to  with- 
stand and  overcome  all  such  hardships.  Col.  Leavenworth 
set  out  from  Prairie  du  Chien  with  98  men  ;  and  on  his  arrival 
at  the  St.  Peter's,  upwards  of  one-half  were  sick.  These  men 
were  only  sixteen  or  seventeen  days  on  the  water ;  what  then 
would  have  been  the  consequence  if  they  had  been  two  or 
three  months  on  the  water?  Perhaps  there  would  not  have 
been  a  sufficiency  of  well  men  to  attend  on  the  sick. 

I  had  thought  that  the  country  above  Prairie  du  Chien  was 
equal  at  least  to  the  country  about  the  Prairie ;  but  in  this  I 
was  much  mistaken,  for  instead  of  finding  a  fine  country,  with 


160  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

good  lands,  and  plenty  of  good  timber,  I  found  a  mountainous, 
broken,  rocky  and  sterile  country,  not  fit  for  either  man  or 
beast  to  live  in.^  I  did  not  see,  either  in  going  up  to  St.  Peter's 
or  coming  down,  any  one  kind  of  wild  animal— no,  not  even  a 
squirrel.  I  saw  but  few  ducks ;  it  was  not  the  season  for 
them,  it  is  true,  but  I  had  thought  more  might  have  been  seen  ; 
wild  pigeons  were  plenty ;  fish,  but  few  to  be  had  from  the 
Indians,  although  there  are  plenty  to  be  caught,  particularly 
in  the  rapids  above  St.  Peter's.  I  cannot  conceive  what  view 
Carver  had  in  getting  lands  from  the  Indians  in  such  an  in- 
hospitable region  as  he  did ;  not  that  I  mean  to  say  his  claim 
is  good  or  bad,  by  any  means,  but  how  a  man  could  select  such 
a  country  is  beyond  my  penetration,  except  that  it  was  to  look 
like  something  great  on  paper,  among  a  people  who  might 
think  the  country  there  described  was  equal  to  their  own  in 
goodness  and  everything  else.  I  have  never  seen  a  copy  of 
the  deed  from  the  Indians  to  Carver  ;  but  I  am  informed  that 
two  signatures  only  are  to  the  deed  ;  one  is  a  Snake,  the  other 
a  Turtle  ;  when  shown  to  the  Indians  they  objected  to  the  Tur- 
tle, by  saying  they  had  no  tribe  of  that  description  in  their 
nation,  and  must  be  a  fraud ;  or,  if  marked  on  the  paper  by 
an  Indian,  it  must  have  been  done  by  an  Indian  of  another 
tribe,  or  out  of  a  joke.  One  Indian  only,  that  I  can  find  out, 
knows  anything  about  this  claim  ;  he  says  that,  when  a  boy, 
he  remembers  to  have  heard  his  father  say  that  an  Englishman 
came  among  the  Sioux  Indians  and  asked  for  land,  which  was 
given  him,  and  he  promised  to  return  next  year  with  a  large 
quantity  of  merchandise  to  give  to  the  Sioux  Indians,  but  that 
they  never  have  seen  this  Englishman  since.  It  appears  to  me 
to  stand  to  reason  that  a  man  who  would  promise  to  deliver 
8,000  blankets  as  one  article,  as  I  am  told  the  deed  speaks  for 
that  enormous  number,^  would  willingly  promise  anything  else. 


1  Maj.  Forsyth  appears  to  have  conceived  but  a  poor  idea  of  the  capabilities  of 
this  region.  But  it  must  be  observed  that  his  entire  route  was  along  the  river, 
where  the  headlands  and  bluffs  do  seem  "mountainous,  broken,  rocky  and  ster- 
ile." Our  more  recent  settlers,  however,  found  that  these  frowning  outworks  only 
enclosed  a  region  unexcelled  for  rich  soil  and  every  advantage  for  agricultural  in- 
dustry. W. 

2  By  reference  to  the  deed,  it  will  be  seen  that  Maj.  Forsyth  was  misinformed  on 
this  point.  L.  C.  D. 


MAJ.  Forsyth's  narrative.  l6l 

The  Sioux  Indians  were  celebrated  for  their  hospitality  and 
goodness  toward  strangers,  and  more  particularly  toward  the 
whites.  Anything  that  a  white  man  would  ask  them  was 
granted,  if  it  were  possible  to  do  so.  They  knew  nothing 
about  intrigue,  and  supposed  that  every  person  who  came  to 
their  country  was  a  friend.  Father  Hennepin,  who  was  the 
first  white  man  who  ever  visited  the  upper  parts  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, speaks  of  the  Naudowissies  (Sioux)  as  patterns  to 
the  civilized  part  of  creation.  Indeed,  he  speaks  of  them  in 
raptures,  as  if  they  were  really  his  own  ancestors.  Every- 
thing that  a  man  could  say  of  another  set  of  men  Father  Hen- 
nepin said  of  the  Sioux ;  but  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  they  are 
at  the  present  day  (1819)  much  altered.  How  this  alteration 
has  taken  place,  or  what  has  occasioned  it,  can  be  attributed 
only  to  their  too  great  intercourse  with  those  whom  we  call 
civilized  people ;  for  I  can  now  safely  say  that,  whatever  the 
Sioux  might  have  been,  they  are  now  actually  a  poor,  indolent, 
beggarly,  drunken  set  of  Indians  and  cowards.  You  can  see 
nothing  of  the  genuine  Indian  in  them.  You  see  nothing  of 
that  Indian  independence,  or  of  that  enterprising  character  as 
hunters  or  warriors,  nor  do  you  see  a  robust,  stout,^able-bodied 
people  who  may  be  found  in  more  southern  latitudes. 

I  mentioned  to  Little  Crow,  one  of  the  principal  chiefs  of 
the  Sioux  Indians,  the  barbarous  war  that  existed  between 
them  and  the  Chippewas,  and  if  there  was  not  a  possibility  of 
bringing  about  a  peace  between  the  two  nations.  He  observed 
that  a  peace  could  easily  be  made,  but  said  it  is  better  for  us 
to  carry  on  the  war  in  the  way  we  do  than  to  make  peace,  be- 
cause, he  added,  we  lose  a  man  or  two  in  the  course  of  a  year, 
and  we  kill  as  many  of  the  enemy  during  the  same  time ;  and 
if  we  were  to  make  peace,  the  Chippewas  would  over-run  all 
the  country  lying  between  the  Mississippi  and  Lake  Superior, 
and  have  their  villages  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  itself. 
In  this  case  we,  the  Sioux,  would  lose  all  our  hunting  grounds 
on  the  northeast  side  of  the  river ;  why  then,  said  he,  should 
we  give  up  such  an  extensive  country  to  another  nation  to  save 
the  lives  of  a  man  or  two  annually?  I  know,  said  he,  it  is  not 
good  to  go  to,  or  make  war  too  much,  or  against  too  many  peo- 
ple.    But  this  is  a  war  for  land  which  must  always  exist  if  the 


162  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Sioux  Indians  remain  in  the  same  opinion  that  now  guides 
them.  I  found  the  Indian's  reason  so  good  that  I  said  no  more 
on  the  subject  to  him. 

To  give  an  idea  of  their  mode  of  carrying  on  war,  I  will 
here  cite  one  instance  of  the  cowardly  disposition  of  the  Sioux 
Indians.  When  I  arrived  at  the  Little  Crow's  village,  he 
told  me  that  a  party  of  fifty  of  his  young  men  had  gone  off 
to  war  five  days  before,  and  expected  them  back  in  a  few  days. 
After  my  arrival  at  the  river  St.  Peter's,  I  was  informed  that 
the  war  party  had  got  back,  and  reported  that  they  fell  in  with 
two  Chippewas,  at  whom  the  whole  fifty  fired  at  one  time,  kill- 
ing one  and  wounding  the  other,  who  got  behind  a  tree,  and 
there  the  fifty  Sioux  left  him.  Thus,  you  see,  the  bravery  of 
the  Sioux. 

Much  has  been  written,  and  much  more  has  been  said  about 
the  different  customs  and  manners  of  the  Indians,  and  a  man 
well  acquainted  with  them  might  write  volumes  respecting  the 
Indians,  and  many  people  would  think  them  fabulous ;  but  let 
any  man  go  and  live  with  the  Indians,  and  he  will  find  that 
they  follow  the  old  Jewish  customs  and  manners.  They  may, 
in  some  things,  differ  from  the  Jewish  customs,  but  not  mate- 
rially. Those  Indians  who  have  had  less  intercourse  with  the 
whites,  their  customs  and  manners  come  nearest  the  Jewish 
customs.  It  is  very  well  known  that  Indians  who  never  saw 
white  people  all  agree  that  there  is  a  Good  and  Evil  Spirit ; 
the  former,  they  say,  is  too  good  to  trouble  himself  about  the 
poor  mortals  of  the  earth,  but  that  the  Evil  Spirit  is  always 
waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  injure  them  or  to  instigate  them 
to  do  mischief. 

To  a  stranger  it  would  seem  odd  that  all  the  Indians  are  so 
much  attached  to  the  British  Government ;  but  to  a  man  who  is 
well  acquainted  with  the  Indians  this  can  be  easily  accounted 
for.  The  British  Government  will  not  appoint  any  man  to  the 
place  of  Indian  Agent,  without  he  can  speak  some  one  of  the  In- 
dian languages.  In  this  case  it  is  to  be  supposed  that  he  is  ac- 
quainted with  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  Indians.  All 
the  goods  for  the  Indian  trade  are  British  goods  ;  and  as 
American  traders  are  all  for  cheap  articles,  of  course  they  are 
inferior.     Poor  goods  are   always  regarded  as  of   American 


MAJ.  Forsyth's  narrative.  16S 

manufacture.  A  man  is  appointed  an  agent  in  the  interior  of 
the  Union,  who  perhaps  never  saw  an  Indian  until  he  came  to 
the  agenc3\  How,  then,  can  it  be  supposed  that  a  man  who 
knows  nothing  about  Indians  can  do  anything  with  them? 
Alas  !  it  is  in  this  way  that  treaties  are  made  by  men  who  do 
not  know  the  Indian  character,  and  promise  fifty  things  to  the 
Indians  with  a  prior  intention  to  put  them  off.  It  will  not  an- 
swer. If  we  follow  the  golden  rule,  to  "  do  unto  others  as  we 
would  wish  to  be  done  by,"  we  will  soon  see  the  good  effects  of 
such  humane  treatment ;  but  as  long  as  we  continue  to  pursue 
our  present  ignorant  system  of  Indian  affairs,  we  will  always 
be  in  the  dark,  and  the  hatred  of  the  Indian  race  will  be 
handed  down  to  successive  generations.  What  an  alteration 
would  we  perceive  in  the  Indians  if  they  were  treated  according 
to  the  old  Penn  system  of  former  times.  The  followers  of 
George  Fox  and  William  Penn  could  do  much  for  the  poor 
aborigines,  and  if  they  were  on  our  frontiers,  instead  of  the 
present  race  of  beings,  much  good  would  result  to  the  whites 
as  well  as  to  the  Indians. 


MAJ.  THOMAS  FORSYTH  TO  GOV.  WM.  CLARK.^ 

St.  Louis,  Sept.  23,  1819. 
Some  time  in  the  month  of  May  last,  I  was  informed  that 
the  fifth  Regiment  of  Infantry  was  Ordered  from  Detroit  by 
way  of  Green  Bay  and  Prairie  du  Chien,  to  build  a  fort  at  the 
mouth  of  St.  Peter's  river,  and  I  was  also  told  that  Col.  At- 
kinson had  been  inquiring  if  I  had  set  out  for  Prairie  du  Chien, 
saying  I  would  be  late  if  I  did  not  soon  do  so.  I  immedi- 
ately made  the  necessary  arrangements  and  left  this  place  to 
ascend  the  Mississippi  the  beginning  of  June,  and  took  and 
delivered  to  the  Sauks  and  Foxes  at  Fort  Armstrong  their  an- 
nuities for  1818  ;  a  receipted  invoice  of  these  goods  I  have 
forwarded  to  the  Superintendent  of  Indian  Trade,  as  by  your 
direction. 

1  Transcribed  from  Maj.  Forsyth's  MS.  Letter  Book.  L.  C.  D. 

22 


164  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

After  I  had  delivered  the  goods,  I  demanded  of  the  Sauk 
chiefs  the  trunk  containing  the  clothes  and  money,  said  to  have 
been  taken  from  an  officer  by  a  Sauk  Indian  named  the  Bio 
Eagle,  and  others  of  the  same  nation,  last  spring,  on  the  Mis- 
souri river ;  and  in  the  affray  it  was  said  that  the  Big  Eagle 
was  wounded  in  the  head.  I  can  assure  you  that  this  chief 
had  not  been  wounded  when  I  saw  him  in  June  last,  and  from 
the  best  information  I  could  collect,  the  Sauks  must  have  left 
the  Missouri  river  previous  to  the  time  the  officer  was  said  to 
have  been  robbed.  A  soldier,  the  only  person  who  was  with 
the  officer  when  this  affair  happened,  tells  a  very  different  story 
to  what  was  told  you.  The  Sauk  chiefs  denied  of  ever  having 
heard  of  this  offence,  and  declared  in  public  council  before  the 
officer  commanding  and  others,  that  if  any  of  their  people  had 
done  anything  amiss,  they,  the  chiefs,  would  be  the  first  to  ac- 
quaint me  of  it,  or  restore  the  property  thus  taken. 

According  to  orders  I  received  from  the  War  Department,  I 
made  a  handsome  present  to  the  two  brothers  of  the  Sauk  In- 
dian who  was  killed  by  Samuel  Thompson,  last  winter,  near 
Bear  creek,  Pike  county,  in  this  Territory.  This  I  did  in  pres- 
ence of  the  chiefs,  telling  them  if  they  accepted  of  the  goods, 
never  to  say  hereafter  that  an  American  had  killed  their 
brother  They  accepted  of  the  goods,  and  we  parted  appa- 
rently contented.  My  business  finished  with  these  Indians,  I 
immediately  set  out  for  Prairie  du  Chien,  after  giving  them  all 
the  few  presents  I  had — still  they  wanted  more  ;  the  sick, 
lame  and  laz}^  were  brought  down  to  my  boat  for  me  to  take 
pity  on  them,  if  not  in  goods,  something  to  eat  would  be  ac- 
ceptable. 

On  my  arrival  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  I  found  the  5th  regiment 
had  arrived  there  from  Detroit  a  few  days  before ;  and  the 
commanding  officer.  Col.  Leavenworth,  told  me  that  as  soon 
as  his  recruits  would  arrive,  as  well  as  ordnance  and  stores,  he 
would  immediately  proceed  on  to  make  the  establishment  at 
the  mouth  of  St.  Peter's.  I  waited  some  time  at  the  Prairie 
for  these  supplies.  During  which  time  the  Sioux  Indians,  hav- 
ing heard  of  my  ascending  the  Mississippi,  were  continually 
coming  down  from  the  different  villages  to  see  me,  with  the 
expectation  of  receiving  some  presents.     In  this  they  were  dis- 


MAJ.  Forsyth's  narrative.  165 

appointed,  as  I  told  them  all  that  I  would  speak  to  them  at 
their  villages,  and  make  them  some  presents,  so  that  every  one 
might  have  a  share.  Finding  that  they  could  not  obtain  goods, 
then  they  began  to  beg  for  provisions  and  some  liquor.  I 
thought  it  would  be  for  the  good  of  the  service  to  give  them 
some,  which  was  issued  on  my  return,  being  countersigned  by 
the  commanding  oflScer,  not  wishing  that  they  should  go  away 
home  dissatisfied.  Indeed,  your  friend,  the  Bourgne,  or  One 
Eyed  Sioux,  told  me  that  if  you  were  present  you  would  be 
more  liberal. 

Two  boats  arriving,  one  loaded  with  provisions,  the  other 
with  ordnance  stores  of  difierent  kinds,  and  no  accounts  of 
any  recruits  being  on  the  way,  Col.  Leavenworth  immediately 
decided  on  going  up  to  St.  Peter's  with  what  men  he  could  con- 
veniently spare  from  Prairie  du  Chien.  As  soon  as  things 
could  be  got  ready,  the  expedition  set  out,  composed  of  98 
soldiers  and  about  20  boatmen.  The  Bourgne  or  the  One 
Eyed  Swux*s  village  is  on  the  Iowa  river,  some  eighteen  leagues 
above  Prairie  du  Chien,  and,  hearing  of  the  expedition  on  the 
way  up,  he  and  his  followers  placed  themselves  on  the  bank  of 
the  Mississippi,  when  I  halted  and  gave  them  some  gunpowder 
and  tobacco.  Bourgne  agreed  with  me  that  it  was  better  to 
deliver  the  blankets,  etc.,  to  the  Sioux  above,  as  they  were 
more  in  want  than  himself  and  friends. 

I  proceeded  on  to  Wing  Prairie,  a  distance  of  25  leagues 
above  the  Bourgne's  village,  being  the  residence  of  the  prin- 
cipal chief  of  all  the  Sioux  in  that  quarter,  named  The  Leaf  ; 
to  him  I  gave  a  very  handsome  present,  for  which  he  was  very 
thankful.  I  next  halted  at  a  place  called  the  Ground  Barn,  at 
the  village  of  the  Red  Wing,  a  distance  above  The  Leaf's  vil- 
lage of  25  leagues.  I  found  them  waiting  for  my  arrival.  I 
gave  those  Indians  a  good  present ;  yet  they  were  not  con- 
tented, but  wanted  more.  The  old  Red  Wing  and  his  son  are 
great  beggars,  and  wanted  everything.  The  next  village  is 
the  Litti.e  Crow's,  at  a  place  called  the  Grand  Marais,  being 
23  leagues  above  the  Red  Wing's  village,  and  within  five 
leagues  of  the  mouth  of  St.  Peter's  river.  Here  1  found,  in 
the  Little  Crow,  a  steady,  generous  and  independent  Indian ; 
he  acknowledged  the  sale  of  the  land  at  the  mouth  of  the  St. 


166  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Peter's  river  to  the  United  States,  and  said  he  had  been  look- 
ing every  year  since  the  sale  for  the  troops  to  build  a  fort,  and 
was  now  happy  to  see  us  all,  as  the  Sioux  would  now  have 
their  Father  with  them.  I  gave  him  a  better  present  than  to 
any  one  at  the  villages  below,  as  he  lived  immediately  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  troops.  The  day  after  my  arrival  at  the  mouth 
of  the  St.  Peter's,  Pinichon  and  the  White  Bustard,  with  their 
bauds,  came  down  from  their  villages  (a  few  miles  up  the  St. 
Peter's  river)  to  visit  me.  To  those  chiefs  I  was  equally  as 
liberal  as  I  was  to  Little  Crow,  and  for  the  same  reason,  and 
they  returned  home  contented. 

The  day  following,  three  chiefs  arrived  ;  one,  the  Six,  whose 
character  may  easily  be  read  in  his  countenance,  clamored  for 
presents,  and  rather  ordered  than  requested  that  I  would  write 
on  to  his  Great  Father,  the  President,  to  send  him  plent}^  of 
kettles,  guns,  etc. ;  that  he  had  been  promised  formerly  many 
things  which  as  yet  he  had  not  received,  but  expected  they 
would  be  sent  to  him.  He  is,  as  I  am  informed,  a  troublesome, 
good-for-nothing  fellow.  In  all  cases,  in  distributing  presents, 
I  had  to  give  each  band  some  liquor  ;  and  at  one  time  thought 
I  would  not  be  able  to  retain  a  sufficiency  of  provisions  to 
bring  my  boat's  crew  back  to  this  place,  for  I  was  determined 
after  I  left  Prairie  du  Chien  not  to  call  on  the  Commissary  for 
any  article  of  provisions  whatever. 

Mr.  T.  Honorie,  the  United  States  interpreter  at  this  place, 
I  had  to  engage  as  an  interpreter  to  go  up  with  me  for  the 
Sauks  and  Foxes ;  and  at  Prairie  du  Chien  I  was  fortunate  in 
procuring  an  excellent  Sioux  interpreter  to  go  up  with  me  to 
St.  Peter's.  On  my  arrival  at  Prairie  du  Chien  in  descending, 
I  was  well  informed  that  Robert  Dickson  had  left  the  Sault 
de  St.  Marie,  in  July  last,  to  go  to  Red  river  by  way  of  Lake 
Superior.  Should  his  business  be  to  draw  any  of  the  Sioux 
Indians  from  St.  Peter's  to  Red  river,  1  think  he  will  be  mis- 
taken ;  as  the  Little  Crow  and  others  were  inveigled  away 
formerly,  but  were  glad  to  return  after  an  absence  of  only  two 
years. 

I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  of  the  death  of  Old  Lance,  one 
of  the  principal  chiefs  of  the  Sauk  Indians.  The  old  man 
had  commenced  to  develop  to  the  Sauks  a  plan  of  dividing 


MA  J.  Forsyth's  narrative.  167 

property ;  that  is  to  say,  to  have  their  lands  surveyed,  and 
each  family  to  have  a  proportion  according  to  their  numbers. 
He  had  already  made  many  proselytes  ;  but  with  the  death  of 
the  old  man,  all  has  fallen  to  the  ground. 

Some  few  lowas  and  Sauks  planted  corn  near  Fort  Edwards. 
Some  few  families  who  are  entitled  to  lands  for  services  ren- 
dered during  the  late  war,  are  living  in  the  evacuated  fort,  and 
are  occasionally  insulted  by  the  drunken  Indians,  who  take  up 
liquor  from  the  settlement,  and  drink  it  at  and  near  the  fort. 
About  half  a  company  of  troops  could  not  be  better  employed 
on  the  Mississippi  than  at  Fort  Edwards,  under  the  command 
of  a  steady  subaltern  cflficer.  It  would  keep  the  Indians  in 
awe,  and  might  prevent  accidents,  which  must  always  happen 
where  Indians  get  drunk  among  whites. 

A  letter  from  an  Indian  Agent  at  Chicago  directed  to  me, 
or,  in  my  absence,  to  the  Governor  of  this  Territory,  has  been 
handed  to  Mr.  Bates  previous  to  my  arrival  at  this  place.  As 
soon  as  I  can  see  Mr.  Bates,  I  will  get  the  letter,  and  if  worth 
your  notice,  I  will  transmit  you  a  copy  for  your  information. 
The  Indians  on  the  Mississippi,  I  am  happy  to  say,  from  the 
best  information  I  can  collect,  are  perfectly  peaceable ;  and 
those  Sauks  who  visit  Maiden  occasionally  do  not  appear  to 
express  such  a  high  opinion  of  their  British  Father  as  formerly  ; 
but,  on  the  contrary,  they  begin  to  think  that  their  American 
Father  has  the  strongest  arms,  and  his  medicines  are  the  best. 

Capt.  Whistler  and  a  trader,  on  their  way  up  Fox  river 
from  Green  Bay,  at  different  times  were  fired  on  by  some  of 
the  Winnebagoes  residing  in  the  neighborhood,  but  no  damage 
done.^ 

1  The  officers  commanding  Amei'ican  troops  declined  paying  tribute  to  tlie  Winne- 
bagoes in  passing  up  Fox  river,  as  mentioned  in  vol.  5,  p.  96,  Wis.  Hist.  Colls..,  and 
bence  probably  this  firing  on  Capt.  Whistler  and  the  trader.  L.  C.  D. 


MEMOIR  OF  JEAN  BAPTISTE  FARIBAULT. 


BY  GEN.  H.  H.  SIBLEY. 

Bartholomew  Faribault,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
memoir,  was  born  in  Paris,  France.  He  was  by  profession  a 
lawyer,  and  he  was  so  prominent,  that  he  received  from  the 
government  the  important  appointment  of  Military  Secretary 
to  the  French  army  in  Canada,  then  under  the  command  of 
Montcalm.  He  came  to  Canada,  entered  upon  his  duties,  and 
continued  to  discharge  them  until  the  12th  September,  1759, 
the  day  which  witnessed  the  defeat  of  the  French  under  the 
walls  of  Quebec,  by  the  British  forces  commanded  by  the  gal- 
lant General  Wolfe,  who  with  his  heroic  antagonist  Montcalm, 
fell  in  the  action. 

Mr.  Faribault  thereafter  retired  to  private  life  at  Berthier, 
Canada.  He  held  the  office  of  Notary  Public  until  the  close 
of  his  life,  in  1801.  He  died  universally  respected  in  the 
community.  His  son,  Jean  Baptiste,  was  born  at  Berthier  in 
1774,  being  one  of  a  family  of  ten  children,  of  whom  only  four 
attained  mature  age.  He  attended  school  until  sixteen  years 
old,  when  he  was  engaged  as  clerk  by  a  merchant  named 
Thurseau,  living  in  Quebec,  with  whom  he  remained  two  years. 
He  then  was  employed  by  the  firm  of  McNides  &  Company, 
importers,  in  the  same  city.  He  continued  in  their  service  for 
a  term  of  six  years.  Although  treated  by  his  employers  with 
great  kindness  and  consideration,  young  Faribault  was  of  too 
restive  and  adventurous  a  disposition  to  be  contented  longer 
with  the  monotony  of  a  residence  in  town.  It  was  only  by  the 
combined  influence  and  persuasion  of  his  kindred  and  friends, 
that  he  was  prevented  from  encountering  the  hardships  and 
dangers  of  a  sailor's  life,  for  which  he  had  early  manifested  a 
decided  inclination.     While  thus  thwarted,  and  still  uncertain 


MEMOIR   OF   J.  B.  FARIBAULT.  169 

as  to  his  future  mode  of  life,  an  incident  occurred  which  but 
for  the  strong  remonstrances  of  his  friends,  would  have  resulted 
in  his  entering  upon  a  military  career.  Prince  Edward  of 
England,  and  his  brother  Prince  William  Henry  were  in 
Canada,  the  former  in  command  of  a  favorite  regiment. 
Faribault  witnessed  the  manoeuvres  of  this  fine  body  of  men, 
and  was  so  much  struck  by  the  brilliancy  of  the  display,  that 
he  proceeded  to  place  on  canvass  a  very  creditable  picture  of 
the  regiment  and  its  officers,  albeit  he  had  never  received  any 
instruction  in  painting.  The  production  was  shown  to  Prince 
Edward,  who  was  pleased  with  it,  so  much  so  indeed,  that  he 
proffered  to  the  young  artist  a  commission  as  junior  officer  in 
his  regiment.  Faribault  declined  the  honor,  but  requested 
the  Prince  to  bestow  the  commission  upon  a  fellow  clerk  named 
De  Salsbury,  which  was  done,  and  the  appointee  joined  the 
regiment  accordingly,  and  subsequently  became  a  prominent 
and  distinguished  officer  in  the  British  service  during  the  war 
of  1812-14. 

Shortly  after  this  episode,  the  Northwest  Fur  Company, 
whose  operations  embraced  a  large  portion  of  the  Northwest, 
desired  to  secure  the  services  of  three  or  four  young  and  enter- 
prising men  to  act  as  traders  among  the  Indians.  In  spite  of 
the  opposition  of  his  family,  young  Faribault,  carried  away 
by  the  romance  and  adventure  of  a  life  among  the  savages  in 
a  remote  part  of  the  country,  offered  himself,  and  was  accepted. 
He,  With  three  other  young  men,  were  dispatched,  under  the 
charge  of  two  agents  of  the  Company,  in  May,  1798,  to  their 
several  fields  of  labor.  Thej^  proceeded  to  Montreal,  thence 
from  the  head  of  the  rapids  on  Grand  river  they  wended  their 
long  and  weary  way  in  what  was  termed  a  light  canoe,  com- 
posed of  birch  bark,  to  the  distant  island  of  Michilimackinac, 
now  called  Mackinac.  The  fare  of  the  travelers  was  not  by 
any  means  luxurious,  being  composed  principally  of  salt  pork, 
hard  bread  and  biscuit,  while  the  laboring  portion  of  the  crew 
had  to  content  themselves  with  hulled  corn,  seasoned  with  a 
small  amount  of  tallow.  There  were  many  portages,  so  called, 
on  the  route,  where,  in  consequence  of  rapids,  or  other  ob- 
structions to  navigation,  it  was  necessary  to  transport  the 
canoe,  provisions  and  baggage   sometimes  for  miles  on  the 


170  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

shoulders  of  the  men.  After  a  long  and  tedious  vo  yage  of 
fifteen  days  the  island  of  Mackinac  was  reached,  much  to  the 
joy  of  the  wearied  adventurers. 

The  station  or  trading  post  to  which  young  Faribault  was 
assigned  was  that  of  Kankakee,  on  the  river  of  that  name,  not 
very  far  from  the  present  site  of  the  city  of  Chicago.  That 
region  being  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  it  was 
a  necessary  preliminary  that  a  license  to  trade  be  obtained 
from  the  proper  authorities.  To  obtain  this  document,  Fari- 
bault was  dispatched,  under  the  guidance  of  a  Potawattomie 
Indian,  to  Port  Vincent,  on  the  Wabash  river,  where  Governor 
Harrison,  of  the  Northwestern  Territory,  Acting  Superintend- 
ent of  Indian  Affairs,  was  stationed.  A  ride  of  six  days  with 
a  guide  with  whom  it  was  not  possible  to  interchange  a  single 
intelligible  sentence,  could  not  prove,  by  any  means,  to  be 
either  profitable  or  interesting.  On  his  arrival  at  Port  Vin- 
cent, he  was  kindly  received  by  Governor  Harrison,  hospitably 
entertained  at  the  Governor's  residence  for  three  or  four  days, 
when,  armed  with  the  proper  authorization,  he  departed  for  the 
post  of  duty  assigned  to  him  at  Kankakee.  On  his  way,  he 
remained  over  night  at  the  trading  house  of  one  McKenzie,  at 
the  mouth  of  the  St.  Joseph's  river,  where  the  four  men  or  voy- 
ageurs,  who  had  been  dispatched  to  join  him,  were  expected  to 
be  found.  Unfortunately,  one  of  these  four  had  fallen  sick 
and  died  in  the  interim,  so  that  Faribault  was  compelled  to 
proceed  to  his  station  with  but  three  men,  upon  whom  was  de- 
volved the  labor  of  erecting  buildings  and  other  adjuncts  for  a 
regular  trading,  post.  No  wise  discouraged,  Mr.  Faribault 
arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kankakee,  the  goods  and  merchan- 
dise followed  soon  afterwards,  and  while  the  men  occupied 
themselves  with  the  construction  of  winter  quarters,  he  opened 
a  brisk  and  successful  trade  with  the  Potawattomie  Indians. 

Mackinac  and  Drummond's  Island  were  at  that  time  the  de- 
pots of  the  trade  of  the  Northwest  Fur  Company.  Mr.  Fari- 
bault proceeded  in  the  spring  with  his  men,  and  the  furs  and 
peltries  collected  during  the  winter,  to  the  first  named  post, 
where  he  delivered  his  valuable  returns  to  the  duly  authorized 
agent  of  the  Company,  Mr.  Gillespie. 

Mr.  Faribault  had  displayed  so  much  business  tact  during 


MEMOIR   OF    J.  B.  FARIBAULT.  171 

the  first  winter's  operations,  that  Mr.  Gillespie,  with  his  con- 
sent, assigned  him  to  the  charge  of  a  more  important  post  on 
the  Des  Moines  river,  about  two  hundred  miles  above  its  mouth, 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi  river.  The  post  was  named 
Redwood,  and  the  Indians  with  whom  he  was  to  trade  were  the 
Dakota  or  Sioux,  speaking  a  language  entirely  different  from 
that  of  the  Potawattomies — the  latter  being  a  branch  of  and 
speaking  the  dialect  of  the  great  Algonquin  or  Ojibwa  stock. 
Consequently  he  required  the  aid  of  an  interpreter,  and  a  man 
named  Deban  was  designated  for  that  position.  He  was  old, 
having  lived  many  years  among  the  Yankton  Sioux,  and  was 
well  acquainted  with  their  character  and  their  language.  With 
his  aid  a  successful  trade  was  carried  on  with  the  savages,  and 
Mr.  Faribault,  the  following  spring,  according  to  the  instruc- 
tions he  had  received,  wended  his  way  with  the  furs  he  had 
collected  to  the  mouth  of  the  Des  Moines  river,  and  delivered 
them  to  Mr.  Crawford,  one  of  the  accredited  agents  of  the 
Company.  Mr.  Faribault  was  continued  four  years  in  the 
charge  of  the  same  trading  post.  During  this  long  period  he 
saw  no  white  man  but  his  own  assistants,  except  on  his  annual 
tour  to  the  mouth  of  the  river.  The  region  where  he  was  sta- 
tioned abounded  with  beaver,  otter,  deer,  bear,  and  other  wild 
animals,  and  was  the  favorite  resort  of  the  Sioux  bands,  of  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes,  the  lowas,  and  other  tribes,  with  whom  the 
Sioux  were  on  amicable  terms. 

The  wages  of  a  good  clerk  at  that  time  was  $200  per  an- 
num ;  interpreter  $150,  and  common  laborers  or  voyageurs  $100, 
and  the  rations  allowed  them  were  of  the  simplest  description. 
But  the  abundance  of  game  more  than  compensated  for  any 
deficiency  in  food.  The  articles  used  in  the  trade  with  the  In- 
dians were  principally  blankets,  cloths,  calicoes,  tobacco  and 
cheap  jewelry,  including  wampum,  which  latter  served  in  lieu 
of  money,  as  a  basis  of  exchange.  During  the  winter  the 
traders  and  their  men  ensconced  themselves  in  their  warm  log 
cabins,  but  in  the  early  spring  it  was  required  of  them  to  visit 
the  various  Indian  camps  to  secure  the  furs  and  peltries  col- 
lected by  the  savages  in  their  hunts.  Goods  were  not  then 
given  on  credit,  but  everything  was  paid  for  on  delivery. 
While  employed  at  the  post  on  the  Des  Moines,  Mr.  Faribault 
23 


172  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

narrowly  escaped  assassination  at  tlie  hands  of  a  half-breed, 
who  was  jealous  of  the  intrusion  of  a  white  man  into  this  fa- 
vored land. 

Having  served  the  term  for  which  he  had  been  engaged,  he 
returned  to  Mackinac,  with  the  intention  of  going  back  to 
Canada,  but  having  learned  of  the  sudden  death  of  both  his 
parents  within  fifteen  days  of  each  other,  Mr.  Faribault  again 
entered  the  service  of  his  former  employers,  and  was  dis- 
patched to  the  river  St.  Peter's,  now  the  Minnesota  river,  and 
took  charge  of  the  post  at  Little  Rapids,  about  forty  miles 
above  its  mouth.  The  band  of  Sioux  Indians  with  whom  he 
traded  were  named  Wak-pay  ton,  or  the  "  People  of  the  Leaf." 
A  man  by  the  name  of  LaPointe  was  assigned  him  as  inter- 
preter. During  the  winter  of  1804-5,  Mr.  Faribault  made 
the  acquaintance  of  a  trader  named  Campbell,  whose  trading 
station  was  about  fifteen  miles  below  Little  Rapids.  Mr. 
Campbell  was  an  independent  trader,  and  had  two  clerks  in 
his  employ,  both  of  whom  were  subsequently  killed  by  an  In- 
dian, whose  daughter  was  the  wife  of  one  of  them.  This  wo- 
man was  not  of  good  character,  and  having  been  reprimanded 
for  her  bad  conduct  by  her  husband,  a  Canadian  Frenchman, 
named  Decoteaux,  her  father  incontinently  disposed  of  his 
son-in-law  by  shooting  him,  and  he  also  shot  the  other  clerk, 
who  was  the  only  witness  of  the  murder,  with  a  hope  of  escap- 
ing detection  and  punishment.  Mr.  Campbell  boldly  accused 
the  savage  of  being  the  perpetrator  of  the  double  crime,  where- 
upon the  Indian  determined  to  serve  him  as  he  had  served  the 
clerks.  He  summoned  to  his  aid  some  of  his  kindred,  and  re- 
paired to  Campbell's  house,  where  Mr.  Faribault  happened  to 
be  at  the  time.  Campbell  barred  his  doors,  and,  with  the  as- 
sistance of  his  friend  and  hired  men,  prepared  to  defend  him- 
self. The  Indian  mounted  upon  the  roof  of  the  cabin,  and 
was  peering  down  the  chimney,  when  he  received  a  ball  through 
the  jaw  from  a  rifie  in  the  hands  of  Campbell,  which  felled 
him  to  the  ground ;  another  of  the  savages  was  shot  through 
the  nose,  when  the  besiegers  decamped,  more  than  satisfied 
with  their  experience.  Both  Campbell  and  Faribault  were 
deterred  from  venturing  abroad  for  some  days,  lest  they  should 
be  assassinated  by  some  concealed  Indian. 


I 


MEMOIR    OF    J.  B.   FARIBAULT.  173 

DuriDg  the  third  year  of  bis  residence  at  Little  Rapids,  Mr. 
Faribault  married  a  widow,  the  daughter  of  a  Mr.  Hanse, 
who  had  been  previously  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs. 
At  the  time  of  their  marriage  the  groom  was  in  his  31st  and 
the  bride  in  her  22d  year.  This  event  precluded  any  idea  of 
Mr.  F.'s  return  to  Canada.  He  was  thenceforth  permanently 
established  as  a  denizen  of  the  remote  Northwest. 

Mr.  Faribault  was  soon  called  upon  to  deplore  the  untimely 
death  of  his  friend  Camfbell,  which  occurred  in  this  wise. 
Mr.  Campbell,  as  has  been  stated,  was  an  independent  trader 
in  opposition  to  the  Northwest  Fur  Company,  and  the  antago- 
nism in  this,  as  well  as  in  many  similar  instances,  degenerated 
into  bitter  personalities.  One  Crawford,  a  brother  of  the 
agent  heretofore  mentioned,  took  up  the  quarrel  of  the  Com- 
pany against  Campbell,  and  challenged  him  to  mortal  combat. 
Campbell  was  a  brave  man,  of  fine  physique,  while  his  adver- 
sary was  decrepid,  and  withal  by  no  means  otherwise  the  equal 
of  Campbell  in  the  public  estimation.  Notwithstanding  the 
remonstrances  of  his  friends,  who  represented  the  disparity  in 
the  standing  of  the  two  men,  Campbell  accepted  the  challenge, 
and  the  parties  with  their  respective  friends,  proceeded  to 
Mackinac  and  thence  to  a  small  island  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river  St.  Mary's,  near  Drummond's  Island,  where  the  duel  took 
place.  Campbell  was  shot  dead  at  the  first  fire,  and  Craw- 
ford was  slightly  wounded.  The  descendants  of  the  two 
combatants  do  not  seem  to  have  continued  the  feud,  inasmuch 
as  Mr.  Crawford's  grandson.  La  Chapelle,  is  married  to  Mr. 
Campbell's  grand-daughter,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Wabasha 
in  this  State, 

Mr.  Faribault  was  at  Mackinac  when  he  received  the  intel- 
ligence of  the  death  of  liis  friend  Campbell,  and  it  shocked 
him  exceedingly,  as  a  strong  attachment  had  existed  be- 
tween them.  On  his  return  to  the  upper  Mississippi,  he  was 
agreeably  surprised  when  he  had  reached  Prairie  du  Chien, 
where  he  had  left  his  wife  with  her  friends,  to  find  that  a  boy 
had  been  born  to  them  during  his  absence.  This  first-born  is 
still  living  in  the  person  of  Mr.  Alexander  Faribault,  the 
founder,  and  still  a  highly  respected  citizen,  of  Faribault,  in 
Rice  county,  in  this  State. 


174  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

In  the  fall  of  1808,  Mr.  F.  having  ascertained  that  the  Sioux 
bands  at  Little  Rapids  had  decided  to  make  war  upon  the 
Chippewas,  instead  of  hunting  as  usual,  concluded  that  it 
would  be  more  profitable  to  pass  the  winter  among  his  old 
friends  the  Yankton  Sioux,  on  the  Des  Moines  river.  He 
incurred  very  great  danger  on  his  way  to  the  post,  with  his 
voyageurs  and  goods,  from  the  Iowa  tribe  of  Indians,  who 
being  without  a  trader,  endeavored  to  force  Mr.  F.  to  remain 
with  them.  Upon  his  refusal  to  do  so,  they  threatened  to  kill 
him  and  appropriate  his  merchandise,  and  he  was  only  rescued 
from  the  dilemma  by  the  appearance  of  a  large  party  of  Yank- 
tons,  who  escorted  him  in  safety  to  his  station.  He  was  quite 
successful  in  his  trading  venture,  and  in  the  spring  he  made 
his  way  with  his  returns  of  furs  and  skins  to  Mackinac,  the 
great  depot  of  the  Indian  trade. 

Mr.  F.,  after  ten  years'  connection  with  the  Northwest  Com- 
pany, in  the  capacity  of  agent  and  trader,  resolved  to  begin 
business  on  his  own  account  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  which  was 
then  a  mere  hamlet  containing  a  few  families.  He  erected  a 
suitable  house,  and  commenced  trading  with  the  Winnebagoes, 
the  Foxes  and  the  Sioux  of  the  Wak-pa-koota  band,  these  sev- 
eral tribes  being  at  peace  with  each  other.  He  continued  in 
this  business  for  a  number  of  years,  and  on  one  occasion  re- 
ceived a  dangerous  wound  in  the  side  from  the  knife  of  a 
drunken  Winnebago,  to  whom  he  had  refused  liquor.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  regular  trade  with  Indians,  Mr.  F.  entered  upon  an 
exchange  of  goods  for  lead,  with  a  Mr.  Dubuque,  at  the  point 
now  occupied  by  the  city  of  that  name.  The  lead  was  taken 
to  St.  Louis  in  keel-boats,  and  sold  there  at  a  good  profit. 
Fifteen  days  was  considered  a  good  average  trip  up  the  Mis- 
sissippi from  St.  Louis  to  Prairie  du  Chien. 

When  the  war  of  1812  was  declared,  the  British  Government 
made  great  efforts  to  enlist  the  Indians  of  the  Northwest 
against  the  Americans.  Knowing  the  great  influence  wielded 
by  the  traders  among  these  savages,  commissions  in  the  Brit- 
ish army  were  tendered  to  each  of  them,  and  they  were  ac- 
cepted by  all  but  Messrs.  Faribault  and  Proven^alle,  who 
declined  to  take  any  part  against  the  American  Government. 
The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  consequently  arrested  by  a 


MEMOIR    OF    J.  B.  FARIBAULT.  175 

Col.  McCall,  of  the  British  militia  service,  and  held  as  a  pris- 
oner on  a  gunboat,  commanded  by  a  Capt.  Henderson,  on 
board  of  which  were  two  hundred  men,  en  route  to  Prairie  du 
Chien  to  dislodge  the  Americans.  He  was  ordered  to  take  his 
turn  at  the  oar,  but  absolutely  refused,  saying  he  was  a  gentle- 
man, and  not  accustomed  to  that  kind  of  labor.  Capt.  Hen- 
derson reported  him  to  Col.  McCall  for  disobedience,  but  the 
latter,  admiring  his  pluck,  not  only  did  not  punish  him,  but  re- 
ceived him  on  board  his  own  boat,  and  treated  him  with  cour- 
tesy and  kindness. 

The  combined  force  of  militia  and  Indians,  upon  their  arrival 
at  Prairie  du  Chien,  made  preparations  to  attack  the  American 
post.  The  families  on  the  outside  of  the  fort  abandoned  their 
homes,  some  of  them  taking  refuge  within  the  stockade,  and 
others,  Mrs.  Faribault  among  the  number,  ascended  the  river 
in  canoes  to  what  is  now  called  Winona.  Mrs.  F.  supposed 
her  husband  to  have  proceeded  to  Mackinac,  and  had  no  idea 
that  he  was  a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  the  attacking  party.  A 
bombardment  was  opened  on  the  fort,  and  on  the  third  day  the 
Americans  surrendered  to  greatly  superior  numbers.  Mean- 
time the  deserted  habitations  were  robbed  of  all  their  contents 
by  the  savages,  and  Mr.  F.,  in  addition  to  the  losses  thus  sus- 
tained, received  the  unwelcome  intelligence  that  lead  belonging 
to  him  of  the  value  of  $3,000,  which  he  had  left  in  charge  of 
Dubuque  at  his  trading  station,  had  been  taken  possession  of 
by  the  hostile  Indians,  and  been  distributed  among  them. 

After  the  surrender  of  Prairie  du  Chien,  that  post  was  gar- 
risoned by  200  British  regulars.  Mr.  F.  was  released  on  pa- 
role, and  repaired  to  his  former  home,  but  the  buildings  had 
been  burnt  with  their  contents  by  the  savages,  and  his  stock  of 
horses  and  cattle  either  run  off  or  destroyed.  He  was  thus 
left  almost  penniless,  but,  with  his  usual  energy,  he  set  himself 
industriously  to  work  to  retrieve  his  shattered  fortune.  The 
band  of  Sioux  with  whom  Mrs.  F.  had  taken  refuge  had  re- 
mained neutral  during  the  war,  and  they  manifested  their  warm 
friendship  for  the  old  trader  by  bringing  him  game  in  abund- 
ance, and  all  the  furs  and  skins  they  could  collect  from  their 
hunts. 

When  peace  was  proclaimed.  Col.  Bolger,  the  British  com- 


176  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

mander  of  the  post  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  withdrew  his  forces 
after  having  destroyed  the  buildings  and  stockade,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Mackinac.  The  following  spring  a  detachment  of 
American  riflemen  under  Col.  Chambers  rebuilt  and  garrisoned 
the  fort.  Mr.  Faribault  in  due  form  declared  his  intention 
to  become  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  a  militia  com- 
pany having  been  organized,  he  received  the  appointment  of 
First  Lieutenant.  The  Northwest  Fur  Company  not  being 
permitted  to  continue  their  business  upon  American  territory, 
sold  out  their  interests  to  the  American  Fur  Company,  of 
which  John  Jacob  Astor  was  the  head.  Joseph  Rolette  was 
constituted  the  Agent  of  the  newly-formed  association  in  the 
Northwest,  and  Mr.  Faribault  made  arrangements  with  him 
for  a  supply  of  such  merchandise  as  was  requisite  for  his  trade. 
He  continued  at  Prairie  du  Chien  for  a  period  of  three  years, 
and  was  quite  successful  in  business.  At  the  end  of  that  time 
he  removed  his  trading  station  to  Pike's  Island,  near  the  pres- 
ent Fort  Snelling.  This  was  done  at  the  suggestion  of  Col. 
Leavenworth,  who  was  en  route  up  the  Mississippi  to  establish 
a  military  post  at  or  near  the  junction  of  that  river  with  the 
St.  Peters,  now  Minnesota.  Having  fallen  in  with  Mr.  Fari- 
bault at  Prairie  du  Chien,  Col.  Leavenworth  was  much 
impressed  with  the  intelligence  and  extensive  knowledge  of 
the  Sioux  Indians,  their  character  and  habits,  displayed  by 
that  gentleman,  and  strongly  urged  him  to  accompany  the 
command,  promising  that  if  he  would  locate  near  the  contem- 
plated post  he  should  be  guaranteed  military  protection  and 
encouragement  in  his  business.  The  trade  at  Prairie  du  Chien 
had  diminished  very  much  in  consequence  of  the  removal  of 
the  Indians  to  better  hunting  grounds,  so  that  Mr.  F.  regarded 
the  offer  as  highly  advantageous,  and  he  accepted  it  without 
hesitation.  Leaving  his  family  behind,  he  followed  the  troops 
to  their  destination  the  succeeding  spring,  and  was  provided 
with  quarters  by  Col.  Leavenworth  until  he  could  erect  suita- 
ble buildings  for  himself.  In  this  he  was  materially  aided  by 
his  military  friends.  Mr.  F.  in  addition  to  his  regular  business, 
had  a  strong  penchant  for  farming,  which  inclination  he  had 
a  good  opportunity  to  gratify  on  "Pike's  Island,"  where  his 
log  cabins  were  situated.     He  soon  had  a  goodly  number  of 


MEMOIR    OF    J.  B.  FARIBAULT.  177 

acres  under  cultivation,  and  was  favored  with  good  crops,  so 
that  he  and  his  family,  who  had  rejoined  him,  were  contented 
and  happy  for  the  space  of  two  entire  years.  In  June  of  the 
third  year,  there  occurred  a  flood  in  the  Mississippi,  which 
covered  the  island  and  carried  off  or  destroyed  all  his  moveable 
propert3^  Nowise  discouraged,  he  crossed  to  the  east  bank  of 
the  river,  and  erected  a  dwelling  and  storehouse  on  a  plateau 
which  he  deemed  to  be  above  high  water  mark.  He  was  kindly 
assisted  as  before  by  the  officers  of  the  post,  and  was  soon 
comfortably  established  once  more.  But  the  fates  had  more  ill 
in  store  for  him,  for  in  1826,  four  years  later,  the  ice  gorged 
above  the  fort  to  such  an  extent  that  the  river  rose  many  feet 
beyond  the  highest  mark  previously  known,  and  when  the  bar- 
rier gave  way  under  the  enormous  pressure,  the  torrent  carried 
with  it  Faribault's  buildings  and  their  contents,  and  his  stock 
of  animals.  It  was  indeed  fortunate  for  him  that  he  had  received 
a  friendly  warning  from  Col.  Snelling,  who  had  succeeded  to 
the  command  of  the  post  bearing  his  name,  of  the  threatening 
condition  of  the  river,  and  provided  him  with  a  Mackinac  boat, 
by  means  of  which  he  saved  the  lives  of  himself,  his  wife  and 
children,  and  secured  his  valuable  collection  of  furs  and  skins. 
No  such  flood  as  that  of  1826  has  ever  occurred  in  this  region,^ 
if  the  testimony  of  the  oldest  Indians,  and  of  white  men  who 
had  been  fifty  years  in  the  country  is  to  be  credited. 

Fort  Snelling  was  commenced  in  1819,  and  completed  in 
1824.  The  first  barracks  for  the  troops  was  constructed  on 
the  south  bank  of  the  Minnesota  river,  near  the  site  of  the 
present  railroad  bridge.  Well  founded  apprehensions  of  high 
water  caused  the  removal  of  these  temporary  quarters  to  Camp 
Coldwater,  about  a  mile  north  of  the  present  fort,  which  was 
occupied  until  Snelling  was  finished. 

In  the  year  1821,  Col.  Leavenworth  called  together  the 
chiefs  and  head  men  of  the  Sioux  bands,  and  procured  from 
them  a  grant  of  land  nine  miles  square  at  the  junction  of  the 
Mississippi  and  Minnesota  rivers.  In  the  same  treaty  was 
inserted  an  article  by  which  the  Indians  donated  '•  Pike's 
Island"  to  the  wife  and  children  of  Mr.  F.,  whose  Indian 
appellation  was  "  Cha-pah-sin-tay,"  or  the  "  Beaver's  Tail." 

Subsequent  to  the  flood  in  1826,  by  which  Mr.  F,  suffered 


178  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

SO  much,  he  removed  to  the  spot  now  called  Mendota,  where  he 
erected  a  dwelling,  and  his  family  lived  there  for  many  years, 
he  himself  passing  the  winters  at  the  Little  Rapids,  where  he 
had  established  a  trading  post.  He  narrowly  escaped  death  in 
1833  at  his  station,  at  the  hands  of  a  treacherous  Sioux  Indian, 
who  became  enraged  because  he  could  not  procure  some 
article  he  desired  on  credit,  which  Mr.  Faribault  did  not  have 
in  his  store.  Without  saying  a  word,  the  savage  drew  his 
knife  and  stabbed  Mr.  F.  in  the  back,  under  the  shoulder 
blade,  when  leaving  the  knife  sticking  in  the  wound,  he  turned 
to  make  his  escape,  but  would  have  been  shot  down  by  Oliver, 
a  son  of  the  old  gentleman,  aged  about  fourteen  years,  had  not 
the  gun  been  seized  by  Indians  standing  by  who  were  relatives 
of  the  Intended  murderer.  The  wound  was  a  very  serious  one, 
the  knife  having  penetrated  the  lungs,  and  a  long  time  elapsed 
before  Mr.  F.  was  considered  out  of  danger ;  but  his  vigorous 
constitution  and  temperate  habits  finally  carried  him  safely 
through,  and  his  health  was  restored.  Mrs.  Faribault  mani- 
fested her  devotion  to  her  husband  by  a  walk  during  the  night 
of  thirty-five  miles  from  Mendota  to  Little  Rapids,  so  soon  as 
she  learned  of  the  injury  he  had  received,  without  any  escort 
but  that  of  a  single  Indian. 

Mr.  Faribault  was  a  warm  Roman  Catholic,  and  was  liberal 
in  his  donations  to  the  church.  He  gave  a  home  in  his  house 
to  the  Rev.  Father  Gaultieh,  the  first  regular  Catholic  mis- 
sionary, who  came  to  this  region  in  1840,  and  afforded  him  all 
the  aid  in  his  power  in  the  arduous  labors  incident  to  the 
founding  of  a  new  mission.  Father  Gaultier  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  Father  Ravoux,  now  Vicar  General  of  the  diocese  of 
St.  Paul,  and  he  also  received  from  the  subject  of  this  memoir 
substantial  and  valuable  assistance. 

Mr.  F.  survived  his  wife  and  all  but  four  children  of  a  large 
family.  There  remain  but  three  of  this  number  living,  Alex- 
ander, already  mentioned,  Emily,  the  wife  of  Major  Fowler 
late  of  the  U.  S.  army,  both  of  whom  reside  in  Faribault,  and 
David,  who  lives  on  a  farm  on  the  Cheyenne  river,  within  the 
limits  of  the  Sioux  reservation.  The  death  of  Mr.  F.  took 
place  at  his  daughter's  house  in  Faribault  on  the  20th  day  of 
August,  1860,  he  having  attained  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 


MEMOIR   OF   J.  B.  FARIBAULT.  179 

seveD  years.  He  closed  his  eyes  upon  things  earthly,  after 
witnessing  the  marvelous  changes  wrought  by  civilization  in 
the  region  which  had  for  so  many  years  been  his  abiding  place, 
sincerely  mourned  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances. Among  the  pioneers  of  Minnesota,  there  are  none 
whose  memory  and  whose  name  better  deserve  to  be  respected 
and  perpetuated,  than  Jean  Baptiste  Faribault.  Requiescat 
in  pace. 


24 


MEMOIR  OF  CAPT.  MARTIN  SCOTT. 


BY   J.  F.  W. 

Among  the  many  noted  and  remarkable  persons  who  have 
been  prominently  connected  with  Northwestern  history,  Capt. 
Martin  Scott  was  one  of  the  most  singular.  Materials  from 
which  to  frame  a  biography  of  him  are  very  meagre,  and  what 
few  I  have,  are  drawn  from  a  variety  of  sources,  but  are,  I 
believe,  reliable. 

Martin  Scott  was  born  in  Bennington,  Vt.,  Jan.  17,  1788. 
His  family  were  humble  people,  and  his  advantages  of  educa- 
tion in  early  life  exceedingly  limited.  He  was  noted,  even  in 
his  boyhood,  for  his  daring  and  courage,  and  fondness  for  field 
sports — a  passion  that  clung  to  him  even  in  old  age. 

When  the  war  of  1812  broke  out,  young  Scott  promptly 
enlisted  in  what  was  afterwards  known  as  the  famous  "  Green 
Mountain  Boys."  He  served  wHth  credit,  and  by  a  commission 
dated  April  21,  1814,  was  promoted  as  a  second  lieutenant  in 
the  Twenty-Sixth  Infantry,  and  in  May  following,  advanced 
to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  During  the  war  he  served  with 
conspicuous  gallantry  and  distinction,  and  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  many  of  his  superior  officers,  and  though  mustered  out 
of  the  service  when  the  army  was  reduced  at  the  close  of  the 
war  in  1815,  the  reputation  he  had  gained  procured  for  him 
subsequently  an  appointment  in  the  regular  army.  His  com 
mission,  which  conferred  on  him  a  second  lieutenancy  in  the 
Rifles,  was  dated  April,  1818,  and  the  subsequent  year  he  was 
promoted  to  a  first  lieutenancy. 

In  May,  1821,  he  was  transferred,  with  the  same  rank,  to 
the  Fifth  Infantry,  in  which  he  served,  with  various  promotions, 
until  his  death,  a  period  of  t«v^enty-six  years. 


MEMOIR   OF    CAPT.  MARTIN    SCOTT.  181 

Capt.  Scott  having  been  appointed  from  civil  life,  and  being 
somewhat  unpolished  in  his  manners,  and  uneducated,  was 
looked  on  with  much  coldness  by  his  brother  oflScers  when  he 
entered  the  Rifles,  they  being  mostly  of  aristocratic  families, 
and  graduates  of  West  Point.  His  habits,  too,  were  very 
economical,  a  result,  in  part,  of  the  poverty  of  his  early  life. 
All  these  things  caused  Scott  to  be  intensely  disliked,  and  no 
opportunity  was  lost  to  snub  him  and  treat  him  with  contempt 
and  indignity.  Finally,  with  two  or  three  exceptions,  they 
refused  all  intercourse  with  him,  hoping  to  drive  him  to  resign. 
These  persecutions  and  annoyances  were  carried  to  the  farthest 
extreme  that  they  dared,  as  no  one  was  willing  to  give  Scott 
the  insult  direct,  which  would  have  justified  him  in  challenging 
them,  as  he  was  known  to  be  one  of  the  most  courageous  men 
and  *'  dead  shots  "  in  the  army. 

The  surgeon  of  the  regiment.  Dr.  John  Gale,  was  one  of 
the  officers  who  was  still  on  good  terms  with  Scott,  and  of  him 
Scott  asked  advice  as  to  how  he  should  act  in  the  case.  Dr. 
Gale  told  him  there  were  only  two  alternatives.  One  was  to 
resign  and  be  driven  from  the  service,  or  to  challenge  the  first 
one  who  gave  him  an  insult  direct.  Scott  resolved  on  the 
latter  course. 

As  intimated  above,  none  of  the  officers  wished  to  "  bell  the 
cat,"  although  each  hoped  some  other  one  would  call  Scott 
out,  and  give  him  a  quietus.  At  last  one  of  the  oflScers  per- 
suaded a  relative  of  his,  named  Keith,  a  dissipated  adventurer 
who  held  a  lieutenant's  commission  in  the  Rifles,  though  sta- 
tioned at  another  post,  to  bear  the  brunt  of  their  spite,  and 
take  the  chances  of  a  duel  with  Scott.  Keith  was  a  Virginian 
by  birth,  and  a  practiced  duelist,  and  was  at  the  time,  half 
dead  with  consumption.  Pleased  at  the  prospect,  no  doubt, 
of  another  encounter  to  add  to  his  list  of  "  affairs  of  honor," 
(for  he  had  already  killed  several  antagonists),  Keith  readily 
consented  to  fight  Scott,  saying,  in  his  reckless,  dare-devil 
way,  '*he  expected  to  die  soon  anyhow,  and  it  didn't  make 
any  difference  if  Scott  did  kill  him," — but  in  point  of  fact,  he 
hoped  to  kill  Scott,  as  he  was  a  splendid  shot.  Keith  took 
an  early  opportunity  to  insult  Scott  in  the  presence  of  the 
mess,  so  pointedly  that  there  could  be  only  one  reply,  and  that 


182  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Scott  soon  sent  him  in  the  shape  of  a  challenge.  The  only 
officer  in  the  regiment  who  would  consent  to  act  as  Scott's 
second,  was  a  young  man  who  had  conceived  a  liking  for  him, 
and  had  not  joined  in  the  conspirac}^  against  him.  Dr.  Gale 
aldo  acted  as  his  confidant  and  friend. 

Keith  and  his  abettors,  knowing  Scott's  deadly  aim  and 
cool,  steady  nerves,  endeavored  to  render  both  unsteady  by  a 
cowardly  artifice.  The  spot  chosen  for  the  duel  was  a  ravine 
near  the  post.  Thither  they  secretly  sent  a  detachment  of 
men  the  night  previous,  and  dug  a  grave  on  the  spot  where  the 
duelists  were  to  stand.  Shortly  after  sunrise  the  principals, 
with  their  seconds  and  other  officers,  repaired  to  the  field. 
Arriving  there,  while  the  seconds  were  "  tossing"  for  position, 
Keith  remarked  in   a  tone  intentionally  loud  enough  to  be 

heard  by  Scott — "  I  will  shoot  the  d Yankee  through  the 

guts."  ScoTT  had  really  intended  before  the  encounter,  to  fire 
in  the  air,  and  not  at  his  antagonist,  but  on  hearing  this 
remark,  he  became  assured  that  it  was  a  plot  to  kill  him,  and 
made  up  his  mind  accordingly.  He  merely  remarked  to  his 
attendant — "  I  shall  shoot  him  through  at  the  first  button  of 
the  coat."  His  pistol  was  handed  him,  and  Scott,  to  see  if 
his  aim  had  been  affected  by  the  artifices  used,  drew  a  bead  on 
some  object,  and  found  his  nerves  as  steady  as  steel.  "I  knew 
/  had  him  then,"  he  remarked,  in  giving  the  account  of  the 
aflfair  to  my  informant,  (Gen.  Sibley.)  Time  was  called.  The 
word  was  given,  and  both  pistols  rang  out  sharply  on  the 
morning  air  at  the  same  instant.  Keith  staggered  and  fell, 
the  blood  pouring  from  his  mouth  and  nose,  and  from  a  bullet 
hole  close  by  the  first  button  on  his  coat!  His  friends  advanced 
and  picked  him  up,  while  to  their  great  chagrin,  Scott  walked 
away  apparently  unhurt. 

But  he  did  not  escape  entirely  unhurt.  The  aim  of  Keith 
was  true.  He  had  shot  Scott  through  the  bowels,  as  he  prom- 
ised, though  fortunately  the  wound  was  not  necessarily  fatal. 
The  ball  passed  through  his  body  without  much  injury  to  any 
vital  part,  but  struck  the  edge  of  the  spine,  splitting  of!  a  small 
piece.  The  agony  of  the  wound,  he  said,  was  excruciating, 
but  sustained  by  his  intense  pride  and  strong  will,  Scott  man- 
aged to  walk  away  with  firm  step,  and  without  exhibiting  any 


MEMOIR    OF    OAPT.  MARTIN    SCOTT.  183 

marks  of  suffering.  His  nerves  sustained  him  until  he  reached 
his  room,  when  he  fell  fainting  on  the  floor.  Dr.  Gale  found 
him  here  a  few  minutes  lat  er,  and  had  him  carefully  attended 
to.  His  escape  from  death  was  narrow.  Had  the  ball  struck 
the  spine  fairly,  it  would  have  produced  death.  As  it  was, 
ScoTi  was  confined  to  his  bed  for  many  daj^s,  but  his  iron 
constitution  and  fine  health  brought  him  out  soon  without  any 
impairment  of  either. 

Keith  was  at  first  thought  to  be  mortally  wounded,  but 
strange  to  say,  the  wound  prolonged  his  life.  It  produced  a 
counter-irritation  that  relieved  his  diseased  lungs,  and  he  is 
said  to  have  lived  for  several  years,  when  otherwise  he  must 
necessarily  have  died  in  a  few  months. 

This  event  put  an  end  to  the  j^ersecution  of  Scott.  He  had 
forced  their  respect,  at  least,  by  his  coolness  and  bravery.  At 
the  next  mess  table  which  he  was  able  to  attend,  he  mentioned, 
so  as  to  be  heard  by  all,  that  henceforth  any  insulting  act  or 
words  would  be  noticed  by  him,  and  the  author  promptly  called 
to  the  field,  but  no  one  dared  to  commit  any  overt  act  of  that 
character.  He  was  soon  after  transferred,  as  mentioned  be- 
fore, to  the  Fifth  Infantry,  a  change  no  doubt  agreeable  to  him. 

Scott  came  to  Fort  Snelling  with  his  company  (G,  Fifth 
Infantry)  about  1821 — the  exact  date  I  do  not  now  find,  and 
was  stationed  at  that  post  most  of  the  time  until  about  the 
year  1840,  or  perhaps  later.  He  served  on  special  duty  in  all 
parts  of  the  Northwest,  from  Pembina  to  Fort  Dearborn, 
(Chicago,)  and  from  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Missouri  River, 
and  was  widely  known  among  the  early  settlers  of  what  is  now 
Wisconsin  and  Minnesota,  thirty  years  ago.  Many  amusing 
siories  are  related  of  his  peculiarities. 

Scott's  sole  passion  seemed  to  be  field  sports.  He  always 
kept  one  or  more  fine  horses,  a  pack  of  hunting  dogs,  several 
guns,  and  a  negro  servant  to  take  charge  of  his  animals.  His 
hunting  ground  ranged  from  Prairie  du  Chien  to  Fort  Snell- 
ing, and  he  must  have  been  familiar  with  every  portion  of  it. 
According  to  the  accounts  I  have  heard  of  his  prowess,'  whole 
hecatombs  of  bear,  deer,  elk,  buffalo,  wolves,  and  other  ani- 
mals, must  have  fallen  by  his  hand.  A  stream  in  Wisconsin, 
called  "  Bloody  Run,"  is  said  to  have  been  so  named,  because 


184  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

a  favorite  hunting  place  of  Capt.  Scott,  and  on  account  of  the 
quantities  of  game  he  had  slaughtered  along  its  banks. 

All  accounts  concerning  his  marksmanship  so  agree,  that 
there  can  be  no  doubt  his  skill  in  that  line  was  marvelous. 
One  of  his  common  pistol  feats,  was  taking  two  potntoes, 
throwing  them  into  the  air  successively,  and  watching  until 
they  came  *'  in  range,"  putting  a  bullet  through  both.  He 
used  to  place  an  apple  on  the  head  of  his  negro  servant,  and 
wiih  his  rifle  or  pistol,  send  a  ball  through  it.  With  a  shot, 
gun,  he  was  an  unerring  marksman,  and  the  bird  that  rose 
near  him  was  sure  to  be  brought  down.  While  at  Fort  Snell- 
ing,  he  had  at  one  time,  20  or  25  dogs,  and  mounted  on  his 
splendid  black  horse,  used  to  delight  in  scouring  the  prairies 
and  valleys  after  wolves  and  foxes.  Gen.  Sibley  often  accom- 
panied him  in  these  chases,  and  as  the  latter  had  a  good  ken- 
nel also,  of  various  breeds,  the  yelp  of  the  combined  packs 
when  in  full  cry  after  a  quarry,  must  have  awakened  the  echoes 
of  the  blufl's  in  a  way  never  equaled  since.  And  it  took  a 
brave  bold  rider  to  follow  Capt.  Scott.  No  obstacle  seemed 
to  daunt  him,  and  his  famous  black  steed  partook  of  his  own 
spirit  in  that  respect. 

His  marksmanship,  and  prowess  as  a  hunter,  became  at  one 
time  of  almost  national  fame,  and  many  have  almost  classed 
him  along  with  Daniel  Boone,  or  Davy  Crockett,  or  looked 
on  him  as  a  mythical  character.  Who  has  not  heard  the 
famous  '*  coon  story"  concerning  him?  It  has  given  rise  to  a 
national  slang  expression — "  to  come  down  like  Capt.  Scott's 
coon,"  being  familiar  to  every  one.  The  story  first  originated 
in  a  political  paper  in  New  York  (Utica,  I  believe)  during  an 
excited  campaign,  possibly  in  1840.  The  editor  spoke  of 
some  opponent  "  coming  down,  or  surrendering,  like  Capt. 
Scott's  coon."  On  being  asked  the  meaning  of  the  expres- 
sion, he  explained  it  somewhat  as  follows  :  Capt.  Scott  and 
several  friends  were  out  hunting,  and  got  separated.  As  they 
passed  along,  one  of  them  spied  a  coon  sitting  on  the  top 
limb  of  a  high  tree,  and  took  a  shot  at  him,  but  without  effect. 
He  passed  on,  and  soon  the  next  repeated  the  effort,  with  like 
result ;  and  then  another  and  another,  until  all  had  failed. 
After  a  while  Capt.  Scott  came  up,  and  seeing  the  coon,  drew 


MEMOIR   OF    CAPT.  MARTIN    SCOTT.  185 

a  bead  on  it,  and  was  about  to  fire,  when  the  coon  called  out, 
"Who  is  that?"  The  Capt.  replied,  "My  name  is  Scott." 
"  Scott  ?  what  Scott  ?"  "Capt.  Martin  Scott,"  was  the  re- 
ply. "Are  you  Capt.  Martin  Scgtt?"  retorted  the  coon. 
"  Then  hold  on — don't  shoot ;  I  ma}^  as  well  come  down."  Of 
course  this  made  great  amusement.  It  was  widely  copied  by 
the  press,  and  soon  Capt.  Scott's  coon  became  a  national  by- 
word. 

Keating,  in  his  interesting  work  on  "  Maj.  Long's  expedition 
to  the  sources  of  the  St.  Peter's  river,  in  1823,"  relates  a  very 
characteristic  incident  of  Capt.  Scott.  The  expedition  had 
orders  to  proceed  to  Fort  Snelling,  (or  "  Fort  St.  Anthony," 
as  it  was  called  then,)  where  Col.  Snelling,  of  the  5th 
Infantry,  was  to  furnish  it  with  an  escort  to  proceed  to  Pem- 
bina, via  Big  Stone  Lake.  Capt.  Scott  was  designated  by 
the  Secretary  of  War  to  command  the  military  escort.  Col. 
Snelling,  however,  was  secretly  hostile  to  Capt.  Scott,  and 
resolved  to  deprive  him  of  this  honor.  When  the  expedition 
reached  Fort  St.  Anthony,  Col.  S.  pretended  that  he  could  not 
spare  enough  men  from  his  command  just  then,  but  would  send 
Captain  Scott  to  Prairie  du  Chien  for  the  necessary  force,  and 
on  his  return  the  escort  would  be  provided.  Scott  conse- 
quently started  for  Prairie  du  Chien  with  Mackinac  boats,  and 
having  very  favorable  winds  on  the  return  voyage,  made  the 
trip  in  an  unprecedented  short  space  of  time.  But  what  was 
his  astonishment  to  find,  on  his  arrival  at  the  Fort,  that  the 
expedition  had  set  out  immediately  after  his  departure,  in 
command  of  Capt.  Denny,  another  officer,  and  were  now  far  on 
their  way.  Scott  was  furious  at  this  treatment,  but  resolved 
to  disappoint  the  evident,  object  of  it.  He  demanded  from  the 
commanding  officer  the  right,  which  he  had  under  the  orders 
of  the  War  Department,  to  follow  and  overtake  the  expedition. 
This  could  not  be  refused  him,  but  he  was  allowed  an  escort 
of  only  four  men,  and  to  carry  supplies,  one  old,  worn-out 
pack-horse,  incapable  of  a  day's  work.  But,  nothing  daunted, 
he  set  out  with  this  equipment.  As  he  had  anticipated,  the 
horse  broke  down  the  first  da}^,  and  was  abandoned,  the  men 
packing  their  provisions  on  their  backs.  In  this  manner  they 
advanced  as  rapidly  as  possible,  for  several  days,  until  their 


186  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

provisions  gave  out.  Scott  carried  his  unerring  rifle,  but  no 
game  could  be  found — not  even  birds.  Finally  their  shoes 
wore  out,  and  the  men  were  almost  barefooted.  Scott  now  saw 
that  his  chance  of  overtaking  the  main  party  was  small.  He 
therefore  ordered  the  soldiers  to  make  the  best  of  their  way 
back  to  the  fort,  and  he  pushed  on  alone.  For  two  entire  days 
he  was  without  a  morsel  of  food,  but  his  iron  constitution  kept 
him  up,  and  he  made  forced  marches  every  day.  Finally  he 
overtook  the  party,  to  their  great  surprise,  on  the  Bois  des 
Sioux  River,  and  commanded  it  during  the  rest  ol  the  expe- 
dition. 

Scott  was  free  from  many  vices  which  army  officers  at  that 
period  were  addicted  to.  He  had  never  played  a  game  of 
cards,  or  drank  a  glass  of  liquor,  or  used  tobacco  in  his  life. 
As  before  remarked,  his  habits  were  very  economical.  As  he 
was  unmarried  until  quite  late  in  life,^  and  apparently  had  no 
object  for  saving  his  money,  this  was  taken  by  his  brother 
officers  for  mere  meanness,  ^nd  excited  more  or  less  prejudice 
against  him.  He  was  always  very  reserved  about  his  own 
affairs,  or  his  family,  and  it  was  not  until  after  his  death  that 
it  was  known  that  Scott  had  during  his  army  life  contributed 
considerable  of  his  pay  to  supporting  or  aiding  several  of  his 
relatives  who  were  in  need  of  such  assistance.  On  one  occa- 
sion, after  he  had  served  in  the  West  for  a  number  of  years,  he 
resolved  lo  pay  a  visit  to  his  old  home.  He  had  left  there  a 
poor  farmer's  boy,  and  wished  to  return  in  such  a  way  that  no 
one  would  recognize  him.  He  drove  a  magnificent  white  horse 
in  a  gig,  and  his  negro  servant,  dressed  in  livery,  rode  his 
black  thoroughbred.  And  what  made  his  equipage  more  sin- 
gular, his  pack  of  about  20  blooded  »dogs  accompanied  him. 
He  drove  in  this  style  through  the  stieets  of  Bennington,  and 
halted  at  the  inn,  the  center  of  a  crowd  of  wondering  citizens, 
not  one  of  whom  recognized  him  however.  He  took  a  seat  by 
the  window,  and  shortly  after,  he  saw  his  brother  passing  with 
a  yoke  of  oxen.  He  at  once  went  out  and  hailed  him  with, 
"  You  have  a  fine  yoke  of  oxen  there,  my  friend ;   do  they 

ICol.  Scott  was  married  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  to  Miss  Lavinia  McCracken, 
daughter  of  Gardner  McCracken,  Esq.,  of  that  city,  in  May,  1841.  Mrs.  Scott  was 
lost  on  the  steamer  Arctic,  in  1854. 


MEMOIR    OF    CAPT.  MARTIN    SCOTT.  187 

belong  to  you,  sir?"  "  No,"  replied  the  brother,  who  did  not 
recognize  him,  "I  wish  they  did — but  I  am  not  able  to  pur- 
chase them.  They  belong  to  one  of  my  neighbors."  Scott 
inquired  what  they  could  be  had  for,  and  on  learning  the  sum, 
handed  him  the  amount,  saying  he  would  make  him  a  present 
of  the  oxen.  This  unexpected  and  extraordinary  liberality 
from  a  perfect  stranger,  quite  overcame  the  brother,  who  me- 
chanicall}^  took  the  money  and  stammered  out  his  thanks, 
wondering  if  it  was  not  all  a  dream. 

Capt.  Scott  then  questioned  him  farther,  concerning  his 
means,  «&;c.  He  said  he  lived  on  a  small  farm  near  by,  which 
he  rented,  and  had  much  diflSculty  in  making  a  living  for  his 
family.  Capt.  Scott  asked  what  sum  the  owner  would  proba- 
bly ask  for  the  farm.  On  being  informed,  he  said  that  he  would 
like  to  make  him  a  present  of  that,  too.  His  brother,  who 
had  been  attentively  gazing  at  him  during  the  parley,  now 
recognized  him,  and  the  greeting  between  the  two  brothers 
was  such  as  might  be  expected.  They  literally  "  fell  upon 
each  other's  necks  and  wept,"  and  went  home  together  with 
hearts  overflowing  with  happiness. 

But  I  must  bring  this  sketch  to  a  close.  Capt.  Scott,  as  is 
well  known,  fell  during  the  Mexican  war.  He  had  been  pro- 
moted from  the  Lieutenancy  he  held  when  he  entered  the  Fifth 
Infantry,  to  the  rank  of  Captain  in  1828,  and  Major  in  1846, 
for  gallant  conduct  at  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma.  He 
commanded  his  regiment  at  Monterey,  and  was  brevetted  Lieut. 
Col.  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  in  the  severe  conflicts 
at  that  place.  On  Sep't.  8,  1847,  while  bravely  leading  his 
regiment  at  Molino  del  Rey,  a  bullet  pierced  his  breast.  Feel- 
ing the  wound  to  be  mortal,  he  took  his  watch  and  pocketbook, 
and  handing  them  to  one  of  the  officers,  said  '*  give  these  to 
my  wife,"  and  expired/  A  brother  officer.  Gen.  R.  B.  Marcy, 
U.  S.  A.,  has  written  concerning  him — ''He  was  a  pleasant 
companion,  an  honorable  man,  and  a  gallant  soldier.  I  most 
sincerely  respect  his  memory,  and  with  all  ray  heart  say.  Peace 
to  his  ashes." 

1  Col.  Scott's  remains  were  subsequently  removed  to  Bennington,  and  a  neat 
monument  erected  over  them. 
25 


NAPEHSHNEEDOOTA: 

THE  FIRST  MALE  DAKOTA  CONVERT  TO  CHRISTIANITY. 


BY  REV.  T.  S.  WILLIAMSON. 

The  first  full-blooded  Dakota  man,  baptized  and  gathered 
into  the  church  of  Christ,  departed  this  life  in  July,  1870,  near 
Lac  qui  Parle,  where  he  was  baptized.  Some  incidents  of  his 
life  show  the  power  of  the  Gospel  among  the  aborigines  of 
our  country,  and  the  trials  of  the  first  converts  among  them. 
His  name  is  Nape  Shneedoota,  which  signifies  the  "  Red  man 
who  flees  not."  He  was  baptized  by  the  name  of  Joseph,  Feb- 
ruary 21,  1840,  when  about  forty  j^ears  old.  He  was  a  son  of 
the  sister  of  Mrs.  Renville,  wife  of  the  trader,  and  claimed 
kindred  with  some  of  the  principal  chiefs  of  the  nation  ;  above 
the  average  height,  well  formed,  and  with  a  good  countenance, 
indicative  of  intelligence,  kindness  and  honesty.  His  wife 
was  received  at  the  same  time,  and  he  brought  four  children  to 
be  baptized,  three  of  them  by  former  wives.  In  less  than  five 
years  his  third  wife  died,  also.  It  was  a  great  loss.  Among 
Indians  there  are  no  boarding  houses,  and  a  wife  can  be  ob- 
tained only  by  purchase  at  a  large  price,  or  by  stealing,  and 
where  polygamy  is  common,  as  it  was  then — many  of  the  men 
having  two,  some  three,  and  some  four  wives — the  number  to 
choose  among  is  not  great.  There  was  no  Christian  woman 
for  him  to  seek.  He  chose  an  orphan  girl  who  had  been  raised 
by  her  grandmother,  one  of  the  first  converts,  and  eminently 
pious,  probably  hoping  she  would  in  this  be  like  her  grand- 
mother. The  friends  of  "  Pretty  Rainbow,"  for  that  was  her 
name,  were  much  pleased  at  her  getting  so  good  and  respecta- 


MEMOIR    OP    NAPEHSHNEEDOOTA.  189 

ble  a  man  for  her  husband  ;  but  after  the  price  was  paid,  she 
would  not  live  with  him ;  probably  owing  to  the  disparity  of 
their  ages.  As  her  cousins  talked  of  forcing  her,  she  ran  ofl 
among  strangers  again  and  again.  He  tried  repeatedly  to  win 
her  affections,  but  in  vain.  At  one  time,  hearing  of  her  at  a 
distance  of  more  than  one  hundred  miles  from  her  friends,  he 
sought  and  found  her,  barefoot  and  in  a  very  suffering  condi- 
tion, having  sold  her  best  clothes  for  food.  According  to  the 
customs  of  his  people  he  would  have  been  justified  in  drawing 
his  butcher  knife  and  cutting  off  her  hair,  or  even  her  ears  or 
nose. 

But  he  had  learned  to  return  good  for  evil,  took  her  to  the 
tent  of  some  of  his  friends,  and  kindly  provided  her  with  food 
and  clothing,  such  as  she  needed.  Still  she  would  not  live 
With  him.  Not  long  after  this,  ho  had  an  opportunity  of  get- 
ting a  woman  much  nearer  his  own  age,  a  Christian,  who  had 
been  cast  off  by  her  former  husband  because  he  had  taken  a 
younger  wife  who  threatened  to  kill  her  predecessor.  With  this 
woman  he  lived  happily  till  her  death,  which  occurred  about 
two  years  before  his  own.  Not  long  after  taking  this  last 
wife,  he  took  his  family  to  reside  at  Little  Crow's  village,  a 
few  miles  below  Fort  Snelling,  on  the  Mississippi,  where  many 
of  his  kindred  lived.  In  this  region  game  was  more  abundant 
and  goods  much  cheaper  than  at  Lac  qui  Parle.  He  was  taken 
down  with  a  fever  soon  after  he  arrived  among  them.  Some 
of  his  relatives,  principal  men  of  the  village,  called  to  see  him. 
They  inquired  of  him  if  it  was  true,  as  they  heard,  that  he  had 
abandoned  the  religion  and  customs  of  their  fathers,  and  em- 
braced the  religion  of  the  white  men?  He  replied  that  it  was. 
They  then  told  him  if  he  would  return  to  their  customs  and 
worship  as  they  did,  they  would  attend  to  him  in  his  sickness 
as  they  did  to  each  other,  and  furnish  him  with  food  and  medi- 
cine. If  he  would  not  do  this,  he  must  look  to  his  new  friends 
for  help,  for  they  could  do  nothing  for  him.  Knowing  that  for 
the  cure  of  disease  they  relied  chiefly  on  the  aid  of  the  spirits 
they  worshipped,  and  that  God  forbids  such  worship,  he  told 
them  he  would  be  pleased  if  they  would  furnish  his  family 
with  food  till  he  got  well,  but  he  did  not  believe  in  any  of  their 
gods,  nor  wish  any  of  their  incantations  about  him.     If  it  was 


190  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

the  will  of  the  great  God  he  worshipped  that  he  should  recover, 
He  would  restore  him  to  health,  if  not  he  was  willing  to  die. 
Hearing  this  they  left  him  to  get  along  as  he  could.  He  and 
his  family  suffered  much  for  food  and  the  fever  continued  for 
weeks.  One  day  one  of  his  acquaintances,  a  man  he  had  not 
seen  for  a  long  time,  brought  them  some  food,  and  asked  if 
there  was  anything  more  he  could  do  for  him.  He  requested 
him  to  go  to  Fort  Snelling  tell  the  surgeon  there  how  he  was, 
and  ask  for  medicine  for  him.  The  medicine  was  obtained, 
broke  the  fever,  and  he  soon  got  well. 

A  year  or  two  after  this,  having  obtained  a  horse,  he  bought 
a  harness,  made  a  small  sled  and  hauled  his  fire  wood,  instead 
of  having  his  wife  carry  it,  as  was  the  custom.  When  the 
sleighing  became  good,  he  took  his  wife  and  youngest  child  on 
the  sled  and  gave  them  a  ride  to  Fort  Snelling,  where  Major 
R.  G.  Murphy,  the  agent,  commended  him  for  his  industry 
and  ingenuity.  His  comrades  viewed  the  matter  differently  ; 
said  his  wife  was  no  better  than  theirs ;  such  innovations  must 
not  be  allowed,  and  killed  his  dog.  He  nevertheless  persevered 
in  drawing  his  wood.  Soon  after  they  killed  his  horse.  Being 
unable  to  buy  another,  his  harness  and  sled  were  useless.  Ma- 
jor Murphy  would  have  been  pleased  to  remunerate  him  for 
his  losses,  by  taking  the  money  from  the  annuities  of  those 
who  had  injured  him,  but  the  laws  of  our  country  do  not  allow 
such  interference  with  Indian  customs. 

In  the  year  1850,  the  Dakotas  on  the  Mississippi  sold  their 
hunting  grounds,  and  within  three  years  were  forced  to  move 
more  than  one  hundred  miles  to  a  reservation  on  the  Minnesota 
river,  where  it  was  impo  ssible  for  them  to  live  by  hunting,  as 
they  had  done.  The  Dakotas  were  accustomed  to  say  (and 
many  of  them  believed  it)  that  Indians  were  made  for  hunters 
and  warriors,  and  if  they  should  become  farmers  or  mechanics, 
and  labor  like  civilized  men,  the  gods  they  worshipped  would 
be  offended,  and  destroy  them.  Joseph  Napeshnee,  not  believ- 
ing in  these  gods,  immediately  began  to  build  and  plant,  and 
was  the  leading  farmer  among  the  Med  wak  an  ton  wan,  as  was 
Simon  Anawangmanee  among  the  Wahpehtonwan  and  Sisiton- 
wan.  Others,  seeing  that  they  did  not  die  as  had  been 
predicted,  in   consequence  of  thus   violating  the   customs  of 


MEMOIR    OF    NAPEHSHNEEDOOTA.  191 

their  ancestors,  were  induced  to  follow  their  example,  which 
was  worth  thousands  of  dollars  to  their  people.  Nor  were 
their  own  people  alone  benefited  by  them. 

In  the  war  of  1862,'the  Christian  Indians,  instead  of  joining 
in  the  massacre,  befriended  the  whites,  and  were  instrumental 
in  saving  the  lives  of  hundreds  of  our  people  and  a  vast  amount 
of  property.  The  Christian  Dakotas  are  now  ten  times  as 
numerous  as  they  were  then,  and  more  than  two  thousand  now 
live  by  cultivating  the  soil,  and  in  consequence  more  than  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars  is  saved  annually  to  our  government. 
There  is  now  more  than  that  difference  between  the  amount 
appropriated  for  their  support,  and  that  of  a  like  number  of 
Dakotas  to  whom  the  gospel  has  not  been  preached. 

Further,  regiments  of  soldiers  are  kept  among  the  heathen 
Dakotas,  or  Sioux,  to  restrain  them  from  robbing  and  murder- 
ing emigrants,  while  the  Christian  Dakotas,  like  a  shield,  defend 
the  whites  who  are  near  them  from  the  wild  and  hostile  Indians 
farther  west. 

In  the  spring  of  1863,  Joskph  Nape-shnee  was  engaged  as  a 
scout  by  our  government,  and  for  several  years  was  very  useful 
as  such,  giving  entire  satisfaction  to  the  officers  having  charge 
of  him.  After  his  services  were  no  longer  needed  in  this 
capacity,  he  returned  to  Lac  qui  Parle.  The  infirmities  of  age 
were  now  coming  on  him,  and  having  no  team  he  was  not  able 
as  formerly  to  build  a  house  for  his  family,  but  lived  in  a  tent, 
yet  supported  them,  partly  by  cultivating  the  earth,  partly  by 
hunting  and  fishing,  without  receiving  any  aid  from  the  gov- 
ernment, much  respected  by  his  neighbors,  white  as  well  as 
red,  no  one  doubting  his  piety.  For  nearly  ten  years  he  was 
a  useful  ruling  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church. 

St.  Peter,  April,  1871. 


MEMOIR  OF  HERCULES  L.  DOUSMAN, 


BY  GEN.  H.  H.  SIBLEY. 

Hercui.es  L.  Dousman  departed  this  life  at  Prairie  du  Chien, 
in  tiie  State  of  Wisconsin,  on  the  12th  day  of  September,  1868. 
The  anouncement  of  the  event,  the  intelligence  which  was 
soon  spread  far  and  wide,  that  death  had  suddenly  stricken  a 
man  so  long  and  so  favorably  known  throughout  the  north- 
west, was  productive  of  more  sad  emotions  in  the  entire  State 
of  which  he  was  an  honored  citizen,  than  are  usually  mani- 
fested in  a  single  community,  when  it  is  made  known  that  one 
of  its  most  prominent  members  has  been  unexpectedly  called 
away.  Indeed  so  identified  with  the  territorial  and  State  his- 
tory of  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota  had  my  lamented  friend 
become,  that  his  name  was  a  familiar  word  in  almost  every 
household,  as  that  of  a  kind-hearted,  high  minded  man,  and 
public  spirited  citizen. 

Col.  Dousman  was  born  in  the  island  of  Michilimackinac,  or 
Mackinac,  as  it  is  now  called,  in  the  year  1800.  He  was  the 
son  of  Michael  and  Catherine  Dousman,  long  and  highly 
esteemed  residents  of  the  island,  the  soil  of  which  now  covers 
their  remains.  He  was  sent  to  Elizabeth  town.  New  Jersey, 
for  high  school  education,  where  he  remained  until  he  had  at- 
tained the  age  of  eighteen,  when  he  removed  to  New  York, 
aid  engaged  himself  as  clerk  to  a  Mr.  Robinson,  a  dry  goods 
merchant  in  that  city.  His  services  in  that  capacity  continued 
for  two  years,  and  he  then  returned  to  the  home  of  his  parents 
at  Mackinac.  He  was  soon  thereafter  employed  as  clerk  by 
the  American  Fur  Company  under  the  management  of  John 
Jacob  Astor,  Mackinac  being  the  principal  western  depot  of 
that  association.  In  1826  he  was  despatched  to  Prairie  du 
Chien  as  the  confidential  agent  of  the  company,  to  take  charge 


MEMOIR   OF    H.  L.    DOUSMAN.  193 

of  the  business  at  that  important  entrepot  of  the  fur  trade. 
Here  the  great  natural  abilities  of  Col.  Dousman,  combined 
with  the  thorough  commercial  education  he  had  received,  dis- 
played themselves  in  the  broad  and  almost  limitless  sphere  to 
which  he  had  been  assigned.  The  late  Joseph  Rolette,  Senior, 
was  his  ostensible  superior,  inasmuch  as  he  held  the  position 
of  partner  with  the  American  Fur  Company,  but  in  reality  the 
commanding  talents  of  Col.  Dousman  soon  placed  him  in 
actual  control  of  the  business  of  the  company  in  this  region. 
In  fact  the  entire  country  north  and  west  of  Prairie  du  Chien, 
to  the  British  boundary,  (except  the  Mississippi  valley  above 
the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  and  the  Upper  St.  Croix  and  its 
branches,)  with  its  numerous  trading  stations  and  fur  traders 
and  other  employes,  was  tributary  to  that  post,  until  the  year 
1834,  when  a  new  and  difterent  organization  was  effected. 

It  required  a  man  of  sound  and  cultivated  judgment,  and  of 
great  executive  ability,  to  systematize  operations  in  so  exten- 
sive a  district,  embracing  many  thousands  of  Indian  hunters 
belonging  to  distinct  and  separate  tribes,  wild  and  savage  in 
disposition,  and  even  more  addicted  to  inter- tribal  war  than  to 
the  chase.  Among  these  discordant  and  belligerent  bands,  were 
stationed  at  intervals  more  or  less  regular,  the  fur  traders  and 
voyageurs  of  the  great  company,  entrusted  with  merchandise 
amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dol- 
lars annually.  None  but  those  familiar  with  the  ramifications 
and  intricacies  of  the  trade  with  Indians  in  early  days,  can 
rightly  estimate  the  business  tact  and  energy  requisite  to  bring 
order  out  of  confusion,  and  to  reduce  to  a  proper  working 
system  the  operations  of  traflSc  in  so  wide  a  field.  No 
higher  tribute  can  be  paid  to  the  surpassing  abilities  of  Col. 
Dousman  as  a  business  man  than  the  bare  mention  of  the  fact 
that  he  was  successful  in  his  efibrts  to  effect  an  organization 
almost  perfect  in  all  its  parts. 

My  personal  acquaintance  with  the  subject  of  this  memoir 
dates  back  to  the  year  1829,  more  than  forty  years  ago.  I  was 
then  a  mere  boy,  employed  as  a  clerk  by  the  American  Fur 
Company  at  their  central  agency  at  Mackinac.  Col.  Dousman 
and  others  in  charge  of  important  districts,  were  required 
to  report  in  person  during  the  summer  of  each  year  at  that 


194  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

point,  whither  they  went  in  charge  of  the  Mackinac  boats  that 
contained  the  furs  and  skins  collected  during  the  previous 
year.  1  became  quite  intimate  with  him,  although  he  was  by 
many  years  my  senior,  and  at  each  of  his  annual  visits  he 
depicted  the  beauties  of  this  wild  western  land  in  such  glowing 
colors,  and  the  abundance  and  variety  of  game  animals  and 
birds  it  contained,  that  my  youthful  imagination  was^captivated 
and  my  love  of  adventure  aroused,  so  that  in  1834,  at  his  ear- 
nest solicitation,  I  formed  with  him  and  the  late  Joseph 
Rolette,  Senior,  a  co-partnership  with  the  American  Fur 
Company  of  New  York,  which  passed  in  that  year  under  the 
direction  of  Ramsay  Crooks  as  President.  By  the  terms  of  the 
agreement,  Messrs.  Rolette  and  Dousman  were  to  continue  in 
charge  of  the  station  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  conduct  the 
trade  with  whites  and  Indians  in  the  region  more  immediately 
contiguous  to  and  tributary  to  that  post,  while  I  was  to  be 
placed  in  control  of  all  the  country  above  Lake  Pepin,  to  the 
head  waters  of  the  streams  emptying  into  the  Missouri  and 
north  to  the  British  line,  with  my  headquarters  at  St.  Peters, 
now  the  village  of  Mendota.  Col.  Dousman  was,  therefore, 
under  Providence,  chiefly  instrumental  in  linking  my  destinies 
with  those  of  Minnesota.  I  am  thankful  for  the  recollection 
that  from  our  first  acquaintance  to  the  day  of  his  death,  our 
warm  friendship  was  mutual  and  undiminished,  and  that  the 
harmony  existing  between  us  was  never,  in  a  single  instance, 
disturbed  by  any  serious  controversy. 

Our  State  has  sprung  into  existence  so  recently  that  a  few 
of  us  yet  living  have  participated  in  or  witnessed  each  step  of 
her  progress  from  pre-territorial  times,  when  a  few  hundreds 
of  men  employed  in  the  fur  trade  were  all  the  whites  to  be 
found  in  the  country,  to  the  present  period  when  Minnesota 
possesses  a  population  nearly  equal  to  one-sixth  of  that  com- 
posing the  entire  American  confederation  when  it  was  finally 
emancipated  from  foreign  control.  Less  than  a  generation 
since,  what  is  now  called  Minnesota,  together  with  a  large 
part  of  co-terminous  territory,  was  of  importance  only  as  a 
region  producing  in  abundance  wild  animals  valuable  for  their 
furs  and  skins.  The  bear,  the  deer,  the  fisher,  the  martin,  and 
the  raccoon,  were  the  tenants  of  the  woods ;  the  beaver,  the 


MEMOIR   OF   H.  L.  DOUSMAN.  195 

otter,  and  other  amphibia,  such  as  the  mink  and  the  muskrat, 
were  to  be  found  in  the  streams  and  lakes,  while  the  prairies 
were  dotted  with  countless  herds  of  the  bison  and  the  elk, 
accompanied  by  their  usual  attendants,  wolves  and  foxes, 
which  scarcely  deigned  to  seek  concealment  from  the  eye  of 
the  traveler.  The  numerous  lakes  and  marshes  were  the  breed- 
ing places  of  myriads  of  wild  fowl,  including  swan,  geese  and 
ducks.  Many  of  the  younger  men  who  sought  employment 
with  the  fur  companies  were,  like  myself,  more  attracted  to 
this  wild  region  by  a  love  of  adventure  and  of  the  chase,  than 
by  any  prospect  of  pecuniary  gain.  There  was  always  enough 
of  danger,  also,  to  give  zest  to  extreme  frontier  life,  and  to 
counteract  any  tendency  to  ennui.  There  were  the  perils  of 
prairie  fires  and  of  flood,  from  evil-disposed  savages,  and 
those  inseparable  from  the  hunt  of  ferocious  wild  beasts,  such 
as  the  bear,  the  panther  and  the  buffalo.  War  was  the  normal 
condition  of  the  powerful  bands  of  Dakotas  and  Chippewas, 
and  the  white  man  falling  in  with  a  war-  party  of  these  bellig- 
erent tribes  might  deem  himself  fortunate  if  he  could  save  his 
life  by  a  sacrifice  of  whatever  property  he  possessed.  The 
traveler  and  the  hunter  in  their  peregrinations  were  compelled 
to  trust  to  their  skill  in  constructing  rafts^or  in  swimming,  for 
crossing  the  numerous  streams,  and  to  the  compass,  or  to  the 
sun  and  stars,  to  direct  their  course.  Nature  in  her  primitive 
luxuriance,  unmarred  by  the  labor  of  man,  unveiled  her  beau- 
ties on  every  side,  as  a  reward  to  those  of  her  infrequent 
visitors  who  could  appreciate  and  enjoy  them. 

Such  was  the  entertainment  to  which  I  had  been  invited  by 
my  friend  Dousman,  and  of  which  he  himself  had,  for  several 
years,  been  a  participant.  His  robust  physique  and  his  bold 
and  manly  character  were  peculiarly  adapted  to  a  life  of  hard- 
ship and  exposure,  and  previous  to  my  arrival  as  his  co-partner 
in  business,  a  due  regard  to  the  responsibilities  of  his  position 
required  him  to  traverse  the  country  at  stated  intervals,  to 
inspect  the  posts  within  his  district.  Some  idea  can  be  formed 
of  the  great  changes  which  have  occurred  since  1834,  when  I 
state  that  when  I  performed  the  journey  in  the  autumn  of  that 
yeai'  from  Prairie  du  Chien  to  St.  Peters,  now  Mendota,  a 
distance  of  nearly  three  hundred  miles,  there  was  but  one 
26 


196  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

house  between  those  points,  and  that  was  a  log  cabin  occupied 
by  a  trader  named  Rocqde,  situated  below  Lake  Pepin  near  the 
site  of  the  present  town  of  Wabasha. 

The  traders  and  clerks,  who  under  the  direction  of  Col. 
DousMAN  and  myself,  had  charge  of  the  interior  trading  posts, 
were  men  of  firmness  and  integrity,  chosen  from  among  the 
many  applicants,  for  the  characteristics  which  particularly 
qualified  them  to  deal  with  a  wild  and  savage  race,  and  to  be 
the  custodians  of  the  large  outfits  of  valuable  merchandise  to 
be  exchanged  for  furs  and  peltries.  Cases  of  dishonesty  were 
so  rare  among  them  as  to  constitute  special  exceptions  to  the 
general  rule,  although  opportunities  were  afforded  in  a  region 
remote  from  any  of  the  restraints  of  law,  which  would  have 
been  taken  advantage  of  by  any  but  men  of  high  moral  prin- 
ciple. Of  the  long  roll  of  these  worthies  with  whom  I  was 
brought  into  close  business  connection,  not  a  corporal's  guard 
remains.  Most  of  them,  with  my  lamented  friend  Dousman, 
have  been  gathered  to  their  fathers.  It  is  a  source  of  regret 
that  correct  and  reliable  sketches  of  these  veritable  pioneers  of 
our  State  cannot  be  obtained  to  be  deposited  with  the  collec- 
tions of  this  Societ3^  They  would  add  a  very  important  and 
romantic  chapter  to  the  history  of  Minnesota. 

A  biography  of  Col.  Dousman  commencing  with  his  advent 
to  the  Upper  Mississippi,  would  not  fall  very  far  short  of  a 
history  of  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota.  Although  there  was 
probably  no  office  in  the  gift  of  the  people  of  his  State,  to 
which  he  could  not  have  successfully  aspired,  he  made  it  a 
rule  of  his  life  to  accept  no  public  position,  from  which  he  de- 
parted on  one  occasion  only,  when  he  received  the  honorary 
appointment  of  aid-de-camp  to  the  governor  of  Wisconsin,  with 
the  rank  of  colonel.  Nevertheless,  so  widely  and  so  favorably 
was  he  known,  that  his  advice  with  reference  to  the  manage, 
ment  of  Indian  affairs  in  the  northwest  was  eagerly  sought  by 
high  dignitaries  of  the  general  government,  and  if  that  advice 
had  been  always  followed,  many  grave  errors  might  have  been 
avoided.  * 

During  his  connection  with  the  American  Fur  Company  of 
New  York,  and  subsequently  as  partner  with  m3/self  in  the 
extensive  firm  of  Pierre  Chouteau  and  Company  of  St.  Louis, 


MEMOIR   OF  H.  L.  DOUSMAN.  197 

to  whom  the  interests  of  the  former  corporation  in  this  region 
were  transferred  in  1843,  Col.  Dousman  was  brought  into 
close  relations  with  the  Winnebagoes,  Menominies,  some  of 
the  lower  bands  of  Sioux,  and  a  portion  of  the  Chippewas, 
and  his  influence,  especially  over  the  first  named  bands  was 
almost  without  bounds.  The  Winnebagoes  were  regarded  as 
among  the  most  turbulent,  and  dangerous,  of  the  northwestern 
savages,  and  nothing  but  the  benign  rule  under  which  they 
were  brought  by  my  deceased  friend,  prevented  outbreaks  of 
violence  which  would  necessarily  have  resulted  in  great  de- 
struction of  life  and  property  among  the  white  settlers.  His 
tact,  sagacity  and  consummate  knowledge  of  Indian  character, 
were  displayed  on  many  critical  occasions,  when  a  collision 
seemed  inevitable,  and  the  services  he  thus  rendered  in  the 
cause  of  peace,  were  the  subject  of  public  recognition  by  gov- 
ernment officers,  both  civil  and  military.  General  Alexander 
Macomb,  formerly  in  chief  command  of  the  U.  S.  Army,  held 
him  in  high  estimation,  as  did  General  Brooke,  who  in  after 
years  commanded  the  Department  of  the  Upper  Mississippi 
with  his  headquarters  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  their  policy  in 
the  management  of  the  Indian  tribes  of  the  northwest  was  in 
accordance  with  that  generally  recommended  by  Col.  Dousman. 

The  attempts  of  the  government  to  negotiate  treaties  with 
the  Winnebagoes,  were  often  frustrated  by  the  jealous  suspi- 
cions of  their  chiefs  and  head-men,  and  their  great  reluctance 
to  sell  their  lands,  and  it  was  almost  impossible  to  succeed  in 
that  direction,  without  first  securing  the  consent  and  influence 
of  the  individual  who  was  the  trusted  friend  and  counsellor  of 
these  wild  bands.  They  had  unbounded  faith  in  the  honesty 
of  Col.  Dousman,  and  they  looked  to  him  for  protection  from 
the  rapacity  of  unprincipled  agents,  and  of  the  swarm  of  white 
cormorants  who  were  ever  on  the  alert  to  deprive  the  ignorant 
savage  of  the  pittance  to  which  they  were  entitled  from  the 
U.  S.  Government. 

Hon.  Simon  Cameron,  then,  and  now,  U.  S.  Senator  from 
Pennsylvania,  was  a  member  of  a  commission  many  •  years 
since,  to  make  payments  under  treaty  stipulations,  to  the 
Winnebagoes  and  their  mixed  bloods,  and  having  received 
material  assistance  from  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  he  took 


198  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

occasion  to  state  subsequently  on  the  floor  of  the  Senate,  that 
in  all  his  long  experience,  "a  more  truthful,  energetic,  fearless 
man  he  had  never  met  than  Hercules  Dousman,  and  that  his 
talent,  if  possible,  exceeded  his  virtues."  Seldom  indeed,  if 
ever,  has  it  fallen  to  the  lot  of  a  man  in  private  station  to 
wield  an  influence  so  extensive,  and  at  the  same  time  so  bene- 
ficent. The  primitive  people  among  whom  he  so  long  resided, 
were  accustomed  to  depend  upon  him  for  advice  and  assistance 
when  trouble  overtook  them.  He  acted  as  peacemaker  in  their 
disputes,  often-times  preventing  litigation  by  his  wise  counsels, 
and  he  was  withal  ever  ready  to  minister  to  the  wants  of  the 
poor  and  the  distressed,  without  distinction  of  race. 

Although  not  a  politician  in  the  ordinary  acceptation  of  the 
term,  Col.  Dousman  was  in  sentiment  a  conservative  democrat, 
but  he  was  independent  enough  to  condemn  whatever  he 
deemed  vicious  or  wrong  in  the  acts  of  his  own  party,  and 
with  equal  candor  he  never  withheld  his  tribute  of  praise  from 
political  opponents  when  in  his  judgment  the  line  of  policy 
pursued  by  them  was  in  accordance  with  the  public  welfare. 
So  prominent  was  this  trait  in  his  character,  and  so  convinced 
were  the  people  at  large  of  his  unswerving  integrity,  that  if 
he  had  assented  to  the  solicitations  of  his  friends  to  become  a 
candidate  for  high  public  position,  he  would  unquestionably 
have  received  the  votes  of  very  many  who  differed  from  him  in 
politics. 

When  the  war  of  the  great  rebellion  burst  upon  the  country, 
the  personal  influence,  and  the  purse  of  Col.  Dousman  were 
cast  into  the  scale  in  support  of  the  Lincoln  administration, 
and  few  private  citizens  accomplished  more  than  himself  in 
arousing  the  people  of  his  section  to  the  imminency  of  ihe 
peril,  and  in  equipping  regiments  for  the  field.  He  frequently 
expressed  to  me  his  earnest  conviction,  that  it  was  the  duty 
of  every  man  in  the  community  to  devote  his  means  and  his 
energies  to  maintain  intact  the  integrity  of  the  Federal  Union. 

Col.  Dousman  was  a  firm  friend  of  our  own  Territory  and 
State.  Intimately  acquainted  as  he  was  with  the  topography 
of  the  country,  and  its  vast  capacity  for  production,  he  advo- 
cated its  claims  to  consideration,  and  predicted  the  brilliant 
future  of  Minnesota  with  all  the  enthusiasm  of  an  old  settler. 


MEMOIR    OF    H.  L.  DOUSMAN,  199 

Next  to  his  own  State,  to  which  be  was  ever  loyal,  his  affec- 
tions were  bestowed  upon  the  younger  sister  of  Wisconsin,  and 
his  memory  merits  a  warm  place  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  of 
Minnesota  for  the  anxiety  he  manifested,  and  the  efforts  he 
made,  to  advance  their  material  interests. 

Northwestern  Wisconsin  has  also  good  cause  to  cherish  him 
in  grateful  remembrance.  For  many  years  an  owner  of  steam- 
ers on  the  Upper  Mississippi,  he  accomplished  much  in  directing 
immigration  and  business  to  her  ports,  and  but  for  his  unre- 
mitting exertions,  and  the  liberal  outlay  from  his  own  resources 
in  aid  of  the  enterprise,  the  railway  from  Milwaukee  to  Prairie 
du  Chien,  that  great  thoroughfare  of  travel  and  transportation, 
would  long  have  remained  unconstructed. 

The  strict  business  habits  of  the  deceased,  and  the  many 
opportunities  afforded  in  a  new  and  rapidly  growing  region  for 
judicious  investments,  enabled  him  to  amass  an  ample  fortune. 
While  he  was  always  liberal  in  his  contributions  to  religious 
and  charitable  objects,  and  noted  for  his  hospitality,  Col. 
DousMAN  was  by  no  means  given  to  extravagance,  nor  did  he 
encourage  it  in  those  within  the  sphere  of  his  influence.  Many 
men  are  yet  living  who  are  indebted  for  their  prosperity  to  the 
pecuniary  aid  and  wise  direction  they  received  from  him  in 
time  of  need. 

In  1844,  Col.  DousMAN  was  united  in  marriage  to  the  widow 
of  his  former  partner  in  business,  Joseph  Rolette,  Senior,  who 
died  some  years  previously.  The  issue  of  the  union,  which 
was  a  most  happy  one,  was  a  son  who  bears  the  name  and  is 
possessed  of  many  of  the  characteristics  of  his  father.  The 
estimable  widow  resides  with  her  son,  in  a  new  and  splendid 
residence  erected  upon  the  site  of  the  old  homestead  at  Prairie 
du  Chien. 

I  am  well  aware  that  I  have  very  imperfectly  discharged  the 
duty  devolved  upon  me  by  the  Society,  of  preparing  a  suitable 
memoir  of  my  cherished  friend.  I  might  have  entered  into 
much  greater  detail,  but  in  so  doing  I  would  have  been  com- 
pelled to  transcend  the  limits  allotted  ordinarily  to  an  obituary 
of  any  man,  howevei*  distinguished.  On  the  other  hand,  I 
could  not  have  said  less,  without  doing  violence  to  my  own 
feelings.     I  cannot  but  recall  to  mind,  with  the  keenest  regret, 


200  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

that  the  friend  of  my  early  and  riper  years — my  associate  in 
business  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century — who  directed  my 
steps  for  the  first  time  to  what  is  now  Minnesota,  and  to  whom 
I  was  fervently  attached,  has  gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth. 
He  was  summoned  away  suddenly,  when  his  bodily  vigor  seemed 
hardly  to  have  been  diminished,  or  his  intellectual  energies  to 
have  lost  any  portion  of  their  force.  He  left  behind  him  no 
enemies  to  exult  over  his  departure,  but  very  many  warm 
friends  and  dear  relatives  to  lament  the  death  of  one  whose 
place  can  never  be  filled  in  their  affections.  All  that  was  mor- 
tal of  the  imposing  form  and  presence  of  the  deceased,  now 
lies  mouldering  in  the  cemetery  he  himself  had  donated  to  the 
Catholic  church  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  the  magnificent  marble 
monument  erected  by  loving  hands  to  commemorate  his  virtues 
will  have  become  dim  and  tarnished  by  time,  long  ere  his  noble 
example  shall  cease  to  exercise  an  influence  upon  the  commu- 
nity and  the  State  of  which  he  was  an  honored  member. 

"  Why  weep  ye,  then,  for  him,  who  having  run 

The  bound  of  man's  appointed  years,  at  last. 
Life's  blessings  all  enjoyed,  liie's  labors  done, 

Serenely  to  his  final  rest  has  passed: 
While  the  soft  memory  of  his  virtues  yet 

Lingers,  like  twilight  hues  when  the  bright  sun  has  set." 


MEMOIR  OF  JOSEPH  R.  BROWN. 


[Paper  read  before  the  Minnesota  Editorial  Association,  1871.] 

Maj.  Joseph  R.  Brown,  an  ex-editor  and  publisher  of  Minne- 
sota, one  of  the  most  widely  known  public  men  of  our  State, 
and  at  his  death,  its  oldest  white  settler,  died  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  November  9th,  1870,  while  on  a  business  visit  to 
that  place. 

Joseph  Renshaw  Brown  was  born  January  5th,  1805,  in 
Harford  county,  Maryland.  His  father,  who  was  a  man  of 
much  ability  and  energy,  and  was  a  local  preacher  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  removed  soon  after  to  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  and  settled  on  a  farm  there.  Joseph's  mother 
died  when  he  was  an  infant.  When  about  fourteen  years  of 
age,  his  father  apprenticed  him  to  a  printer  in  Lancaster,  but 
being  treated  with  great  harshness  and  injustice  by  said  person, 
he  soon  after  '*  ran  away  ;"  and  the  first  intelligence  his  father 
received  from  him  was,  that  he  had  enlisted  in  the  army  and 
had  marched  with  his  company  "out  west."  He  came  to  what 
is  now  Minnesota,  with  the  detachment  of  troops  that  built 
Fort  Snelling  in  1819,  and  remained  a  resident  from  that  time 
until  his  death,  a  period  of  over  fifty  years. 

On  leaving  the  army,  somewhere  about  1825,  he  resided  at 
Mendota,  Saint  Croix  and  other  points  in  the  State,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  Indian  trade,  lumbering  and  other  occupations. 
His  energy,  industry  and  ability  soon  made  him  a  prominent 
character  on  the  frontier,  and  no  man  in  the  Northwest  was 
better  known.  He  acquired  a  very  perfect  acquaintance  with 
the  Dakota  tongue,  and  attained  an  influence  among  that 
nation  (being  allied  to  them  by  marriage),  which  continued 


202  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

unabated  to  his  death.  He  held,  at  different  times  during  his 
life,  a  number  of  civil  offices,  which  he  filled  with  credit  and 
ability.  In  1838,  he  was  appointed  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  by 
Governor  Dodge,  of  Wisconsin,  and  for  several  years  had  his 
office  at  his  trading  post,  at  Grey  Cloud,  about  12  miles  below 
Saint  Paul.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Wisconsin 
Legislature  from  "Saint  Croix  county"  in  1840,  1841  and 
1842,  taking  prominent  part  in  those  sessions.  He  was  also  a 
leading  member  of  the  famous  ''  Stillwater  Convention "  of 
citizens  held  in  August,  1848,  to  take  steps  to  secure  a  Terri- 
torial organization  for  what  is  now  Minnesota.  He  was  the 
Secretary  of  the  Territorial  Councils  of  1849  and  1851,  and 
Chief  Clerk  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1853,  a  member 
of  the  Council  in  1854  and  '55,  and  House  in  1857,  and  Terri- 
torial Printer  in  1853  and  '54.  He  was  also  a  member  from 
Sibley  county,  in  the  Constitutional  Convention  ("Democratic 
Wing")  of  1857,  and  took  a  very  prominent  part  in  the  for- 
mation of  our  present  State  Constitution.  He  was  likewise 
one  of  the  Commissioners  named  in  that  instrument  to  canvass 
the  vote  on  its  adoption,  and  of  the  State  officers  elected  under 
it.  He  shaped  much  of  the  Legislation  of  our  early,  territorial 
days,  and  chiefly  dictated  the  policy  of  his  party,  of  whose 
conventions  he  was  always  a  prominent  member. 

Maj.  Brown  carried  on,  for  a  number  of  years,  a  very  large 
and  widely  extended  business  as  an  Indian  trader  and  supply 
agent,  and,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  had  a  trading  post  at  Big 
Stone  Lake,  on  our  extreme  western  frontier.  He  also  figured 
somewhat  as  an  inventor,  and  after  many  years  of  study  and 
experiment,  and  heavy  outlay  of  means,  had  about  completed  a 
steam  road  wagon,  or  "Traction  Motor,"  which  he  felt  confident 
would  prove  a  success,  when  his  death  occurred.  He  suffered 
the  reverses  of  fortune  incident  to  life  on  the  frontier,  and 
during  his  career  made  and  lost  large  amounts,  leaving  at  his 
death,  I  am  informed,  but  a  small  estate.  He  always  bore  his 
losses  with  cheerful  equanimity.  He  was  a  man  of  most  re- 
markably unruffled  and  happy  temper.  In  an  acquaintance  of 
fifteen  years,  1  do  not  recollect  to  have  ever  seen  the  cheerful 
smile  he  always  wore  clouded  by  any  reverses  of  fortune  he 


MEMOIR   OF   J.  R.  BROWN.  203 

may  have  met  with.  He  was  always  genial,  good-humored  and 
sociable. 

But  it  is  as  a  journalist  and  publisher  I  desire  principally  to 
speak  of  him  here.  His  first  regular  entrance  into  the  printing 
business  in  Minnesota,  was  in  the  year  1852,  though  he  had 
before  written  considerable  for  the  press.  Shortly  after  the 
death  of  James  M.  Goodhue,  which  occurred  in  August  of  that 
year.  Major  Brown  purchased  the  "  Minnesota  Pioneer,"  and 
edited  and  published  it  under  his  own  name  for  nearly  two 
years.  In  the  spring  of  1854,  he  transferred  the  establishment 
to  Col.  K.  S.  Goodrich.  During  the  period  of  his  connection 
with  the  paper,  he  established  a  reputation  as  one  of  the  most 
sagacious,  successful  and  able  political  editors  in  the  Territory, 
and  as  a  sharp,  interesting  and  sensible  writer. 

In  1857,  he  established  at  Henderson,  which  town  had  been 
founded  and  laid  out  by  him  a  short  time  before,  a  journal 
called  the  ^'  Henderson  Democrat,"  which  soon  became  a 
prominent  political  organ,  and  was  continued  with  much  ability 
and  success  until  1860  or  '61. 

In  speaking  of  Maj.  Brown  as  an  editor,  I  can  do  no  better 
than  to  use  the  graceful  and  elegant  tribute  from  one^  whose 
pen  never  touched  a  subject  without  adorning  it,  and  whose 
long  acquaintaince  with  Maj.  Brown  ensures  its  faithfulness 
as  a  portrait : 

"Joseph  R.  Rrown  was  a  great  man  in  many  of  the  best  senses 
of  that  term,  and  never  a  common  man  in  any  sense.  Without  edu- 
cation, according  to  its  scholarly  significance,  he  yet  knew  much  of 
all  that  scholars  know,  and  more  of  that  in  which  they  are  ignorant. 
*  *  ♦  We  have  known  him  to  dash  off  more  than  twenty  sheets 
of  foolscap  in  a  single  night,  upon  a  great  variety  of  topics,  requiring, 
in  some  cases,  the  use  of  precise  and  technical  language,  and  exhibit- 
ing a  range  and  accuracy  of  information  which,  considering  the  life  he 
led  and  that  he  was  a  man  without  letters,  we  regard  as  unsurpassed 
by  any  intellectual  feat  which  we  have  known  any  others  to  perform. 

"  The  mind  of  Major  Brown  was  of  the  ruggedest  Saxon  type,  and 
his  language  and  mode  of  thought  always  simple,  clear,  logical  and 
strong.  His  manuscript  rarely  required  revision,  and  never  ex- 
cept as  to  tautology  or  some  such  slight  rhetorical  fault.  His  method 
of  statement  and  argument  has  not  been  excelled  by  any  professional 

1  Col.  E.  S.  Goodrich. 
27 


204  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

writer  in  the  State.  To  his  clearness  and  strength  he  added  a  most 
persuasive  tone,  and  a  humor  that  won  the  kindly  feeling  of  those 
whose  interests  or  principles  he  combatted.  Without  further  culture 
than  such  as  experience  gives,  he  must  have  acquired  a  wide  and  solid 
reputation,  had  his  powers  been  regularly  employed  as  a  writer  for  the 
press." 

In  the  brief  space  allotted  to  me  for  this  memoir,  I  have 
only  glanced  at  some  of  the  prominent  traits  of  Maj.  Brown's 
character,  and  the  principal  events  of  his  life.  He  was,  all  in 
all,  one  of  the  most  remarkable  men  which  our  northwestern 
frontier  has  developed,  and  it  would  require  literally  a  volume 
to  give  the  leading  incidents  of  his  long  and  eventful  career. 
In  the  various  and  contradictory  characters  of  soldier,  pioneer, 
legislator,  lumberman,  public  oflScer,  editor,  politician,  trader, 
inventor  and  town-site  speculator,  he  showed  the  versatility 
of  his  genius  and  energy  of  his  character.  He  had  faults,  of 
course,  but  they  were  such  as  could  be  easily  overlooked  and 
forgiven  by  his  friends.  And  as  one  of  the  pioneer  editors 
and  publishers  of  this  State,  his  memory  should  always  be 
respected  by  the  members  of  the  editorial  fraternity  of  Min- 
nesota. J.  F.  W. 


[Prom  the  St.  Paul  Pioneer,  November  15th,  1870.] 

"  Why,  God  bless  you  !  Come  in  !"— at  St.  Paul,  in  1854, 
and  *'  God  bless  you !  Good  night !"  at  New  York,  in  1870, 
were  the  first  salutation  and  last  farewell  received  by  the 
writer  from  Joseph  R.  Brown.  And  between  these  two  have 
been  blessings  numberless,  but  no  curses.  His  heart  did  not 
breed  curses,  nor  would  his  lips  utter  them.  And  so,  in  the 
memory  of  these  kindly  greetings  and  farewells,  which  come 
back  upon  us  now  as  benedictions,  let  us  render  some  tribute 
to  the  great  and  good  hearted  man  who  has  just  passed  away. 

For  Joseph  R.  Brown  was  a  great  man  in  many  of  the  best 
senses  of  that  term,  and  never  a  common  man  in  any  sense. 
Without  education,  according  to  its  scholarly  significance,  he 
yet  knew  much  of  all  that  scholars  know,  and  more  of  that  in 


MEMOIR   OF   J.  R.  BROWN.  •  205 

which  they  are  ignorant.  Without  familiarity  with  the  social 
refinements  of  life,  his  intercourse  with  men  showed  that  native 
delicacy  and  kindness  of  heart  are  better  than  the  best  of 
breeding.  Passing  the  bulk  of  his  days  among  the  rude  and 
unlearned,  or  leading  the  more  solitary  life  of  trader  or  fron- 
tiersman, he  was  a  man  of  mark  and  influence  in  any  assem- 
blage where  Jie  might  be  placed,  whether  in  an  Indian  council 
in  the  wilds  of  the  West,  or  in  a  National  Convention  in  the 
centre  of  civilization.  Persuasive  as  a  speaker,  simple,  homely, 
but  strong  as  a  writer,  modest  and  winning  in  private  inter- 
course, he  needed  only  the  polish  of  the  schools  to  have  graced 
any  position,  or  have  honored  any  profession  or  pursuit.  This 
is  not  the  language  of  eulogy.  No  man  of  intelligence  could 
come  in  contact  with  Major  Brown,  without  admitting  his 
ability ;  he  was  more  than  a  common  man  who  did  not  feel 
inferiority  in  his  presence,  and  less  than  a  generous  man  who 
did  not  acknowledge  it. 

Major  Brown's  qualities  are  best  known  and  appreciated  by 
those  who  mingled  in  the  early  politics  of  Minnesota.  With  a 
mind  well  stored  with  the  elementary  principles  of  law  and 
political  science,  with  a  familiar  knowledge  of  persons  and 
localities,  and  with  a  natural  aptitude  for  affairs,  he  took  prom- 
inent part  in  all  public  movements,  and  grew  in  influence  with 
the  expanding  growth  of  the  Territory  and  State.  It  was 
noticeable  to  witness  the  effect  of  his  appearance  at  the  capital 
to  attend  upon  the  sessions  of  the  Legislature  during  these 
early  periods  in  our  politics.  He  had,  perhaps,  spent  months 
on  the  frontier,  or  beyond  the  limits  of  civilization,  but,  by 
some  process,  he  had  kept  even  with  the  current  of  events,  and 
needed  little  in  the  way  of  fact  or  hint  to  render  him  master 
of  the  situation.  All  the  little-great  and  great-little  men  who 
thronged  to  the  capital  at  such  seasons,  and  called  themselves 
politicians,  were  anxiously  waiting  his  arrival,  which,  with  a 
humor  that  had  just  a  dash  of  malice  in  it,  he  would  some- 
times delsLy  until  the  latest  hour.  But  the  whole  alphabet  of 
Honorables  rested  quiet  when  he  came.  He  was  Cushing's 
^.Manual,  and  Kent's  Commentaries,  and  Political  Economy,  and 
Sir  Oracle,  without  pretence ;  he  was  the  safely  trusted  friend, 
counsellor,  committeeman,  scribe,   even,  to    all — except   the 


206  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Hon.  Pretentious  Squirt.  The  Hon.  Squirt  would  show  his 
sagacity  by  patronizing  "Jo."  Brown.  Before  the  session 
had  half  passed  the  Hon.  Squirt  was  squelched.  Not  mali- 
ciously squelched,  though,  for  if  any  Hon.  Squirt  proved  to 
be  only  surfacely  so,  and  gained  sense  enough  to  realize  his 
true  status,  no  one  would  aid  more  heartily  than  the  Major  in 
setting  him  on  his  feet  again.  But  no  Hon.  Squirt  ever  for- 
got the  ordeal  through  which  he  had  passed,  or  repeated  the 
patronizing  experiment  of  "Jo."ing  Major  Brown. 

The  amount  of  work  which  Major  Brown  would  perform 
during  these  legislative  sessions,  was  something  remarkable. 
Passing  the  legislative  hours  at  the  Capitol  in  watching  and 
directing  the  details  of  legislation,  his  evenings  and  nights 
were  consumed  in  the  caucus,  in  the  framing  of  bills,  the  pre- 
paration of  committee  reports,  the  composition  of  a  speech 
for  some  Noodles — whose  support  to  an  important  measure 
would  be  gained  by  enabling  him  to  play  the  part  of  an  orator- 
ical puppet, — and  in  writing  editorials  or  correspondence  for 
the  press.  We  have  known  him  to  dash  off  more  than  twenty 
pages  of  foolscap  of  a  single  night,  upon  a  great  variety  of 
topics,  requiring,  in  some  cases,  the  use  of  precise  and  technical 
language,  and  exhibiting  a  range  and  accuracy  of  information 
which,  considering  the  life  he  led,  and  that  he  was  a  man  with 
out  letters,  we  regard  as  unsurpassed  by  any  intellectual  feat 
which  ive  have  known  any  other  to  perform. 

The  mind  of  Major  Brown  was  of  the  ruggedest  Saxon  type, 
and  his  language  and  mode  of  thought  always  simple,  clear, 
logical  and  strong.  His  manuscript  rarely  required  revision, 
and  never  except  as  to  tautology  or  some  such  slight  rhetorical 
fault.  His  method  of  statement  and  argument  has  not  been 
excelled  by  any  professional  writer  of  our  State.  To  his  clear- 
ness and  strength  he  added  a  most  persuasive  tone,  and  a  humor 
that  won  the  kindly  feeling  of  those  whose  interests  or  princi- 
ples he  combatted.  Without  further  culture  than  such  as 
experience  gives,  he  must  have  acquired  a  wide  and  solid 
reputation,  had  his  powers  been  regularly  employed  as  a  writer 
for  the  press. 

Maj,  Brown's  knowledge  of  human  nature  was  thorough  and 
extensive.     He  knew  men  as  a  scholar  knows  books.     This 


MEMOIR   OF   J.  R.  BROWN.  207 

knowledge,  with  his  knowledge  of  affairs,  and  the  skill  with 
which  he  used  both  in  the  business  of  politics  and  legislation, 
caused  him  to  be  designated  the  "  Juggler,"  in  our  early  parti- 
san slang.  No  epithet  was  ever  more  undeserved.  What  the 
herd,  who  were  his  inferiors,  denominated  juggling,  was  only 
the  exercise  of  his  superior  sagacity.  He  bribed  no  man,  nor 
did  he  accomplish  his  ends  by  mean  or  unworthy  tricks.  But 
he  was  clear,  strong,  fertile  and  ingenious,  and  frequently 
carried  schemes  which  were  deemed  impracticable,  by  consum- 
mate tact  and  unyielding  tenacity — surprising  his  friends  with 
unlooked-for  success  while  he  confounded  his  enemies.  He 
delighted  in  the  manipulation  of  men  ;  and  sometimes,  we  have 
thought,  humorously  involved  measures  and  members  in  the 
mazes  of  legislation,  that  he  might  enjoy  their  struggles  to 
escape  from  the  dilemma  into  which  they  were  cast.  This, 
however,  was  confined  to  immaterial  matters ;  he  never  jeop- 
arded a  scheme  of  importance  by  inconsiderate  or  humorous 
trifling. 

So  much  interest  did  Major  Brown  take  in  public  affairs, 
and  so  much  importance  was  attached  to  his  presence  and  ad- 
vice upon  public  measures,  that,  from  the  organization  of  the 
Territory  until  the  State  was  fairly  in  working  order,  he  was 
rarely  or  never  absent  from  a  general  convention  of  his  party, 
or  from  a  legislative  session.  It  is  thus  that  nearly  all  the 
important  legislation  which  forms  the  basis  of  our  present  code 
bears  the  impress  of  his  mind.  This  is  especially  so  in  respect 
to  those  features  which  are  novel  to  our  system,  and  are  stamped 
with  liberality,  progress  and  reform.  It  would  surprise  any 
one  unfamiliar  with  the  subject,  to  contrast  the  code  of  Minne- 
sota with  that  of  any  leading  Eastern  State,  and  observe  the 
superiority  of  our  system  in  every  liberal,  humanitarian  aspect. 
The  centres  of  population,  wealth,  refinement  and  culture, 
which  are  shackled  by  precedent  and  tradition,  are  not  the 
sources  of  ameliorating  laws ;  these  spring  from  the  freer, 
fresher,  more  generous  life  of  new  communities.  The  mass  of 
this  liberal  legislation,  if  it  did  not  owe  its  paternity  to  Major 
Brown,  had  always  in  him  a  hearty  and  efficient  advocate  ;  and 
his  labors  therein  entitle  him  to  honorable  memory. 


208  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

This  rambling  sketch, — not  intended  as  an  analysis  of 


Major  Brown's  character,  but  merely  as  supplementary  to  the 
detailed  accounts  of  his  life  already  published,  —  must  be 
brought  to  a  close.  As  his  remains  are  about  to  be  consigned 
to  the  earth  of  the  State  which  he  loved,  and  whose  interests 
he  faithfully  served  in  public  and  in  private  station,  the  writer 
would  lay  this  tribute  on  his  grave,  along  with  that  which  will 
spring  from  thousands  of  hearts  throughout  Minnesota,  as  they 
learn  that  he  is  gone  from  amongst  us,  forever.  If  our  ven- 
erable and  tried  friend  had  faults  beyond  those  which  mar  the 
characters  of  the  best  of  us,  we  happily  knew  it  not  while  he 
lived,  nor  would  we  know  it  now.  If  there  were  such,  we  are 
sure  they  must  have  sprung  from  the  soil  of  an  undisciplined 
youth,  and  that  they  did  not  form  the  controlling  elements  of  a 
manhood  and  a  manliness  rich  in  intellectual  strength  and 
vigor,  and  richer  in  the  rarer  qualities  which  mark  the  posses- 
sor of  a  generous  and  unselfish  heart.  No  history  of  Minnesota 
can  be  written  which  shall  omit  from  its  pages  the  scenes  and 
incidents  wherein,  for  half  a  century,  he  moved  conspicuously  ; 
nor  can  such  history  be  worthily  written  which  fails  to  record 
upon  the  roll  of  its  worthiest  pioneers,  the  name  of  Joseph  R. 
Brown.  E.  S.  G. 

November  14,  1870. 


[From  the  St.  Paul  Press,  November  12th,  1870.] 

A  dispatch  was  received  on  the  evening  of  the  9th  inst.  by 
Dr.  C.  Carli,  of  Stillwater,  a  brother-in-law  of  Joseph  R. 
Brown,  announcing  the  death  of  the  latter  on  that  day  at  New 
York.  No  particulars  were  given  beyond  the  simple  announce- 
ment of  the  fact.  Mr.  Brown  went  to  New  York  some  time 
ago  for  the  purpose  of  superintending  the  construction  of  his 
traction  engine  or  steam  wagon — an  invention  of  his  own 
which  he  has  been  developing  for  years — and  he  was  in  unusual 
good  health  when  he  left  the  State  on  this  errand.  He  could 
not  have  been  much  less  than  70  years  of  age,  and  ever  since 
his  early  boyhood  has  been  a  resident  of  Minnesota,  where  he 


MEMOIR   OP  J.  R.  BROWN.  209 

first  made  his  appearance  as  a  drummer-boy  at  Fort  Snelling 
some  forty  odd  years  ago  while  that  fort  was  in  process  of 
erection.  Ever  since  he  was  discharged  from  the  military 
service,  which,  if  we  recollect  aright  was  in  or  about  the  year 
1828,  he  has  been  conspicuously  and  actively  identified  with 
the  history  of  Minnesota,  from  the  earliest  beginnings  of 
settlement  on  the  Upper  Mississippi  to  the  present  time.  He 
was  an  important  and  distinguished  character  among  the  first 
pioneers  of  settlement  in  this  region,  and  has  been  a  more  or 
less  important  and  distinguished  character  ever  since.  As 
early  as  1831  Jo.  Brown,  as  he  was  then,  and  has  ever  since, 
been  familiarly  called,  had  an  Indian  trading  post  at  Land's 
End,  on  the  Minnesota  river,  about  a  mile  above  Fort  Snelling. 
In  1833-4  he  had  established  his  trading  post  at  Oliver's  Grove, 
at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Croix.  At  that  time  the  only  inhabi- 
tants in  the  country  outside  the  fort  were  Indians — except  a 
few  traders  at  Mendota  and  elsewhere.  Brown  was  still  en- 
gaged in  the  Indian  trade  when  the  speculative  mania  of  1837 
set  in,  and  distant  as  this  portion  of  what  was  then  Wisconsin 
was  from  its  scenes,  some  pulsation  of  it  reached  these  remote 
solitudes.  Brown  was  about  the  only  man  among  the  Indian 
traders  of  that  time  with  sagacity  enough  to  distinguish,  in 
the  hubbub  of  this  wild  movement  of  speculation  and  emigra- 
tion, the  march  of  that  great  westward  development  which  was 
soon  to  take  in  the  then  remote  wilderness  of  the  Upper 
Mississippi.  He  at  once  set  about,  as  soon  as  the  Indian  title 
was  extinguished,  to  seize  what  seemed  to  him  to  be  the  salient 
points  of  the  region  hereabout.  He  first  settled  in  1838  at 
Gray  Cloud  Island,  fifteen  miles  below  St.  Paul,  where  he  had 
a  trading  post  and  farm.  Two  years  afterward  he  formed  the 
first  settlement  or  laid  out  the  first  townsite  at  the  head  of 
Lake  St.  Croix,  about  a  mile  above  the  present  site  of  Still- 
water, and  which  he  called  Dahkotah,  and  about  the  same  time 
he,  with  James  R.  Clewett,  bought  the  first  claim  made  in  St. 
Paul,  from  a  discharged  soldier.  This  claim  embraced  what  is 
now  Kittson's  addition,  and  was  bought  for  $150.  At  this  time 
Brown,  whose  operations  were  extensive,  owned  an  interest  in 
a  trading  house  on  the  Fort  Snelling  Reservation,  on  this  side 


210  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

of  the  Mississippi,  which  on  Sept.  13th,  1838,  was  destroyed 
by  a  party  of  Sioux. 

He  was  not  only  the  pioneer  town  builder  of  Minnesota,  but 
the  pioneer  lumberman,  being  the  first  to  raft  lumber  down  the 
St.  Croix.  In  1841  he  was  elected  as  representative  of  Craw- 
ford county,  Wisconsin,  which  had  been  extended  over  the  delta 
of  country  between  the  St.  Croix  and  Mississippi.  Here  he 
succeeded  in  getting  an  act  passed  organizing  St.  Croix  county, 
with  his  town — Dahkotah — as  its  county-seat.  A  judge  of  the 
district  arrived  one  day  at  this  county  seat  to  hold  court,  but 
finding  that  it  consisted  of  a  single  claim  cabin,  he  seems  to 
have  resigned  the  judicial  oflSce  for  this  locality  to  Jo.  Brown, 
who  already  absorbed  all  the  other  functions  of  government  in 
the  county  of  St.  Croix.  Brown  was  at  this  time,  as  for  some 
time  afterwards,  engaged  in  lumbering  operations  on  the  St. 
Croix,  varied,  if  we  remember  rightly,  by  an  interval  of  fur 
trading  on  Big  Stone  Lake.  In  1847  he  endeavored  to  obtain 
from  the  War  Department  permission  to  erect  a  warehouse, 
etc.,  at  Fountain  Cave,  which  was  then  within  the  limits  of  the 
Snelling  Reservation,  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  lumber 
trade  just  being  started  on  the  Upper  Mississippi,  by  the  erec- 
tion of  a  saw  mill  at  St.  Anthony  Falls.  He  was  unsuccess- 
ful in  this,  but  soon  afterwards  established  a  boom  at  the  point 
indicated. 

After  the  Territory  of  Minnesota  was  organized,  Mr.  Brown 
at  once  took  a  leading  and  influential  position  in  the  politics 
of  the  Territory.  He  was  elected  Secretary  of  the  First  Legis- 
lative Council,  which  assembled  in  the  fall  of  1849  at  St.  Paul, 
of  which  David  Olmsted  was  President.  Mr.  Brown  was,  if 
we  recollect  aright,  Secretary  of  the  Second  Legislative  Coun- 
cil also.  His  tact,  ability  and  shrewdness,  were,  we  well 
recollect,  the  theme  of  general  comment  at  the  time.  In  1853, 
Mr.  Brown  varied  his  pursuits  by  succeeding  to  the  ownership 
and  editorial  charge  of  the  Pioneer^  its  former  editor,  Mr. 
James  M.  Goodhue,  having  deceased,  and  gave  a  new  illustra- 
tion of  the  versatility  of  his  character  and  talents,  by  his  suc- 
cess as  a  sharp  and  vigorous  writer.  We  think  it  was  in  1853, 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  representing  the 
county  of  Dakota.     For  years   previous    and   subsequent,  he 


MEMOIR   OF   J.  R.  BROWN.  211 

lived  in  St.  Paul,  but  at  that  time  his  family  occupied  a  house 
on  the  bluff  on  the  west  side  of  the  river. 

Previously  to  this  Brown  had  laid  out  the  town  of  Hender- 
son, on  the  Minnesota  river,  and  much  of  the  early  legislative 
log-rolling  for  which  he  was  famous  at  that  time,  had  reference 
lo  the  building  up  of  this  point,  which  he  endeavored  without 
much  success  to  make  a  depot  of  supply  for  the  Indian  country 
and  Fort  Ridgely.  The  steady  and  sedentary  routine  of  the 
editor  did  not  long  suit  Brown's  restless  disposition  and  he 
was  soon  at  Henderson  again  building  and  planning  we  forget 
what,  but  mills  and  warehouses  and  hotels  were  among  his 
monuments. 

He  was  soon  after  this  appointed  Indian  Agent  for  the  Min- 
nesota Sioux,  and  plunged  into  his  old  Indian  life  again,  if, 
indeed,  he  had  ever  deserted  it.  It  maj^  as  well  be  said  here 
that  Brown,  like  many  of  the  old  Indian  traders,  had  married 
a  Sioux  woman,  by  whom  he  had  a  numerous  family,  and  it 
was  perhaps  this  circumstance,  as  well  as  the  associations 
of  all  his  early  and  middle  life,  which  attached  him  so  strongly 
to  the  Indians.  Fitted  by  his  abilities  and  character  for  any 
position  or  any  career  in  the  new  centres  of  civilization  which 
had  sprung  up  around  him,  we  find  him  at  short  intervals 
always  going  back  to  the  Indians  as  agent  or  trader,  or  in  some 
such  capacity.  He  was,  however,  always  planning  new  enter- 
prises— and  this  haunter  of  Indian  camps,  this  half  Bedouin, 
was  the  lounder  of  more  embryo  cities  than  any  other  half-a- 
dozen  men  in  the  State,  and  the  planner  of  more  schemes  for 
its  development  than  any  other.  He  had  a  force,  originality 
and  genius  of  invention  in  him  which  was  always  propelling 
him  in  new  paths.  Among  his  inventions  was  his  steam  traction 
motor — or  steam  wagon. 

It  was  a  favorite  project  of  his  to  build  a  wagon — propelled 
by  steam— which  would  travel  at  will  over  the  dry  hard  roads 
of  our  prairies.  We  think  it  was  in  1860  that  he  had  one  built 
in  New  York,  but  after  experimenting  with  it  on  the  road  be- 
tween Henderson  and  Fort  Ridgely  he  was  forced  to  abandon 
it  for  the  time  as  a  failure.  In  the  meantime  the  Indian  war 
broke  out,  in  which  Mr.  Brown  took  an  active  part.  Following 
the  remnants  of  the  friendly  Sioux  to  Fort  Wadsworth,  he  has 
28 


212  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

been  occupied  for  several  years  in  trading  with  them,  and  in 
business  connected  with  the  supply  of  the  different  agencies. 
He  has,  in  fact,  been  the  real  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs 
in  that  region,  and  has  been  chief  counsellor  of  the  agents  and 
the  government.  But  he  had  not,  in  the  meantime,  lost  sight 
of  his  favorite  project  of  a  steam  traction  motor  ;  but  has  been, 
meanwhile,  maturing  his  invention  and  his  plans  for  its  suc- 
cessful operation.  Last  winter  he  secured  legislation  enabling 
the  counties  of  the  State  which  desired  this  kind  of  transporta- 
tion to  provide  a  hard  roadway  for  the  purpose,  by  an  issue 
of  bonds  to  cover  the  necessary  expenditure,  and  during  the 
summer  he  has  been  in  New  York  constructing  his  motor  and 
wagon,  which  he  is  said  to  have  so  perfected  that  its  pratica- 
bility  is  now  generally  admitted.  It  is  a  sad  culmination  of  a 
life  which  seems  one  chequered  waste  of  unfulfilled  dreams, 
that  in  the  very  hour  when  he  was  to  have  eujoyed  the  fruition 
of  a  scheme  to  which  he  had  devoted  so  many  years  of  his  life, 
he  was  suddenly  cut  off  from  the  living.  Joseph  R.  Brown, 
though  not  free  from  guile,  was  in  the  main  an  honest  man. 
He  was  at  any  rate  a  generous  one.  He  was  possessed  of  a 
cheerful  and  happy  temper,  a  hon-liommie  which  nothing  could 
ruffle.  No  taint  of  malice  or  spite  or  spleen,  lurked  in  his 
robust,  warm  and  healthy  blood.  If  his  mental  powers  had 
been  disciplined  to  the  routine  of  some  profession  or  regular 
occupation,  if  he  had  not  been  dragged  down  by  the  slipshod 
half-vagabond  associations  and  habits  of  his  frontier  life,  from 
the  high  career  for  which  he  was  formed,  he  would  have  been 
one  of  the  foremost  men  of  his  day. 

A  drummer-boy,  soldier,  Indian  trader,  lumberman,  pioneer, 
speculator,  founder  of  cities,  legislator,  politician,  editor,  in- 
ventor, his  career — though  it  hardly  commenced  till  half  his  life 
had  been  wasted  in  the  obscure  solitudes  of  this  far  Northwest- 
ern wilderness — has  been  a  very  remarkable  and  characteristic 
one,  not  so  much  for  what  he  has  achieved,  as  for  the  extraor- 
dinary versatility  and  capacity  which  he  has  displayed  in  every 
new  situation.  The  above  is  a  hasty  sketch  of  the  life  of  the 
leading  pioneer  of  Minnesota,  mainly  from  the  recollection  of 
one  who,  without  any  intimate  relations  with  him,  cherishes  a 
kind  remembrance  of  his  real  worth  and  sincerely  mourns  his 
death.  J.  A.  W. 


MEMOIR  OF  HON.  CYRUS  ALDRICH. 


BY  J.  F.  W. 

The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  born  in  Smithfield,  Rhode 
Island,  June  18th,  1808.  His  father's  name  was  Dexter 
Aldrich.  His  mother  was  a  Miss  White,  a  lineal  descendant 
of  Peregrine  White,  the  first  ciiild  born  after  the  landing  of 
the  Pilgrim  Fathers.  He  received  a  limited  common  school 
education,  and  during  his  boyhood  and  youth  worked  on  a  farm 
near  Smithfield.  He  afterwards,  when  a  young  man,  adopted 
a  sea-faring  life  in  which  he  continued  for  several  years, 
accumulating  little  besides  a  good  stock  of  practical  experi- 
ence in  the  affairs  of  business  and  life. 

In  1837  he  concluded  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  West,  and  at 
the  age  of  twenty-nine  emigrated  to  Illinois  and  settled  at 
Alton.  That  great  commonwealth,  now  the  empire  State  of 
the  West,  and  soon  to  be  the  third  in  the  Union,  was  then 
suffering  from  a  great  financial  depression,  similar  to  the  one 
which  weighed  with  such  crushing  effect  on  our  own  State  in 
'58  and  '59.  Business  and  commerce  were  almost  at  a  stand- 
still, and  no  other  occupation  offering  itself,  Mr.  Aldrich,  too 
industrious  and  active  to  remain  idle  while  any  honest  employ- 
ment was  open,  worked  as  a  day  laborer  on  the  Illinois  and 
Michigan  Canal.  But  this  was  only  temporary.  The  managers 
soon  found  that  they  could  do  better  than  to  employ  this  active 
and  smart  young  stranger  in  an  inferior  position,  and  he  was 
soon  promoted  to  the  place  of  overseer,  and  not  long  after  took 
a  contract  on  the  same  work.  In  1841  his  contract  terminated 
disastrously  to  himself  and  he  again  resumed  life  as  a  laborer. 
Meantime  he  had  resided  at  Springfield  and  Joliet. 


214  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

In  1842,  he  removed  to  Galena,  where  he  resided  for  several 
years.  There  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Galbraith, 
Porter  &  Co.,  largely  engaged  in  the  stage  business  and  mail 
contracts,  that  proved  remunerative.  He  soon  became  well 
known  in  that  region  and  was — as  his  personal  traits  of  char- 
acter, open  and  genial  address,  and  honorable  dealings  always 
made  him — very  popular  with  all  classes.  On  May  26th,  1845, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Clara  Heaton  of  Indiana,  who  was 
then  temporarily  residing  at  Galena,  and  who  survives  him 
with  a  son  and  daughter,  his  only  living  children. 

In  1845  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Illinois  Legislature, 
and  serving  with  satisfaction  to  his  district,  was  re-elected  the 
following  year.  At  the  expiration  of  his  second  term,  he  was 
tendered  a  nomination  to  the  Senate,  but  declined,  as  the  com- 
pensation of  legislators  at  that  time  was  so  small  that  he  had 
hitherto  served  at  a  loss  to  himself  which  he  was  not  able  to 
bear.  During  his  legislative  career,  in  Illinois,  I  doubt  not 
that  he  worked  for  the  interests  of  the  State  with  the  same 
energy,  untiring  industry  and  desire  to  promote  the  general 
welfare,  that  he  evinced  while  in  Congress  and  in  our  own 
State  Legislature.  In  speaking  of  his  legislative  career  in 
Illinois  to  the  writer  of  this  sketch,  a  short  time  before  his 
death,  he  remarked  that  he  was  proud  to  have  been  a  member 
of  the  session  which  adopted  the  plan  for  settling  the  old 
bonded  indebtedness  of  that  State,  which  like  our  own  in  this 
State,  had  been  a  source  of  trouble  and  dispute  for  several 
years,  and  devised  means  to  restore  her  financial  credit  and 
solvency.  That  Mr.  Aldrich's  plain,  strong,  common-sense 
and  clear-headed  views  of  business  and  public  measures  had 
their  weight  and  influence  in  settling  the  knotty  questions 
which  arose  while  the  measures  were  under  consideration,  no 
one  who  knew  him,  can  doubt.  This  must  have  been  the  view 
of  others.  C.  L.  Wilson,  editor  of  the  Chicago  Journal, 
speaking  of  the  prominent  part  borne  by  Mr.  Aldrich  in  the 
settlement  of  the  matter,  said  that  "  every  one  of  his  constitu- 
ents should  take  him  by  the  hand  and  say  'Well  done,  good 
and  faithful  servant.' " 

In  1847  he  was  elected  by  a  large  majority.  Register  of 
.\)eeds  of  Jo  Davies  county,  which  position  he  filled  for  two 


MEMOIR    OF    HON.  CYRUS    ALDRICH.  21^ 

years.  In  the  spring  of  1849,  he  was  appointed  by  President 
Taylor  Receiver  of  the  U.  S.  Land  Office  at  Dixon,  Illinois, 
which  office  he  continued  to  fill  for  four  years,  until  the  incom- 
ing of  Pierce's  administration  in  1853. 

When  he  was  appointed  to  this  office,  he  removed  to  Dixon, 
where  he  resided  until  his  emigration  to  Minnesota.  In  1854 
he  was  elected  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Dixon, 
and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  of  the  county 
of  Lee. 

In  1852  he  received  the  Whig  nomination  for  Congress  in 
his  district,  and  had  for  an  opponent  the  well  known  "  Long 
John"  Wentworth,  of  Chicago.  Though  the  district  was  . 
almost  hopelessly  Democratic,  Mr.  Aldrich  worked  with  his 
well  known  zeal  so  untiringly  that  he  well  nigh  turned  the 
scale  in  his  own  favor,  failing  by  only  a  few  votes,  having  run 
1,570  ahead  of  his  ticket.  He  used  to  say  that  he  would  have 
been  elected  if  he  could  have  commanded  the  liberal  use  of 
means  employed  by  his  opponent. 

In  1854  he  visited  Minnesota,  then  the  objective  point  of  a 
very  heavy  emigration,  and  being  pleased  with  the  country  and 
its  healthfulness,  determined  to  move  his  home  here,  Minne- 
apolis, then  a  mere  hamlet,  being  the  locality  chosen.  In  the 
spring  of  1855,  he  moved  thither  and  built  a  commodious  brick 
dwelling,  now  owned  by  Geo.  A.  Brackett,  Esq. 

In  his  new  home  he  lost  none  of  the  popularity  which  always 
seemed  to  follow  him,  for  indeed  he  had  Host  none  of  those 
qualities  of  mind  and  heart  which  always  made  him  acquaint- 
ances easily  and  attached  them  to  him  so  warmly.  He  seemed 
made  for  a  party  leader,  and  it  was  not  long  ere  the  Republi- 
can party,  to  which  he  was  ever  attached,  put  him  forward  as 
standard-bearer.  In  the  spring  of  1857,  he  was  nominated 
as  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention,  and  elected  by 
a  larger  majority  than  any  candidate  on  his  ticket.  The  printed 
debates  of  the  "  Republican  wing "  of  the  convention  show 
that  he  took  a  leading  part  during  the  session,  and  was  con- 
spicuous in  pressing  wise  and  proper  views. 

A  few  days  after  the  conclusion  of  the  convention,  Mr. 
Aldrich  was  nominated  by  the  Republican  Senatorial  Conven- 
tion, as  one  of  the  three  Congressmen  (the  State  was  not  then 


216  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

districted.)  He  at  once  entered  on  a  vigorous  canvass,  but 
his  psLvty  was  not  successful  in  the  contest.  Mr.  Aldrich 
from  his  personal  canvass,  however,  became  widely  known 
throughout  Minnesota,  adding  largely  to  his  popularity  and 
creating  hosts  of  warm,  personal  friends.  The  ensuing  year, 
when  the  next  election  for  Congressmen  occurred,  Mr.  Aldrich 
was  again  nominated  b^  his  party.  This  time  he  was  tri- 
umphantly elected,  receiving  a  majority  of  over  four  thousand, 
1,3G2  of  which  was  in  his  own  county,  the  largest  majority 
ever  given  by  that  county. 

He  took  his  seat  soon  after  in  Congress,  and  ably  repre. 
sented  his  State  and  labored  faithfully  for  its  interests.  Per- 
haps we  have  never  had,  and  never  will  have,  a  more  faithful 
representative  in  Congress  than  Cyrus  Aldrich.  He  made  no 
pretensions  to  brilliant  ability,  was  no  impressive  orator,  and 
in  plainness  of  manner  and  personal  appearance  would  not 
have  been  selected  by  a  casual  observer  as  one  of  the  leading 
members  ;  yet  scarcely  a  member  on  the  floor  had  more  influence 
than  Mr.  Aldrich.  There  was  something  winning  and  per. 
suasive  in  his  manner.  It  bore  the  impress  of  truth  and 
honesty.  His  style  of  speaking  was  plain,  forcible,  convincing, 
even  though  it  may  have  lacked  rhetorical  ornament.  Yet  he 
seldom  bored  the  House  with  sx^eeches.  His  great  success  lay 
in  work,  work,  WORK !  He  perseveringly  pressed  his 
measures,  in  season  and  out  of  season,  and  by  his  personal 
influence — that  influence  which  a  square,  honorable,  earnest 
man  always  has — accomplished  his  ends.  No  matter  entrusted 
to  him  by  his  constituents  was  ever  neglected  by  him.  The 
humblest  man  in  his  district  never  wrote  him  a  letter,  asking 
a  favor  or  for  some  information,  in  vain.  He  was  certain  of 
receiving  a  prompt,  courteous  answer,  and  if  his  request  could 
be  granted,  it  was  secured.  Thus  Mr.  Aldrich's  time  was 
very  fully  occupied.  His  correspondence  was  very  large.  His 
opponents  used  to  sneer  at  him  as  the  '*  letter  writer."  I  now 
record  the  fact  to  his  credit  and  honor. 

When  his  first  term  expired,  (1860)  Mr.  Aldrich  was  nomi- 
nated without  opposition,  and  elected  by  an  overwhelming 
majority,  10,500,  even  larger  than  the  vote  Abraham  Lincoln 
received  on  the  same  ticket.     He  returned  to  his  seat  in  Con- 


MEMOIR    OF   HON.  CYRUS    ALDRIOH.  217 

gress  with  a  consciousness  of  duty  well  performed  and  well 
appreciated. 

This  was  a  trying  term.  The  rebellion  assumed  shape  and 
finally  culminated  in  war.  Our  First  Regiment  of  immortal 
fame,  was  called  into  the  field,  and  remained  near  Washington 
for  several  months.  This  laid  on  Mr.  Aldrich  new  duties  and 
labors.  He  felt  a  peculiar  interest  in  the  regiment  and  its 
welfare.  His  warm,  sympathetic,  kindly  nature  found  a  field 
for  its  active  exercise.  He  was  with  the  regiment  whenever 
his  duties  at  Washington  permitted.  The  poor,  sick  or  wounded 
soldier  found  in  him  a  sympathetic  and  active  friend,  always 
ready  with  the  cheering  word,  or  liberal  purse  to  minister  to 
his  wants.  He  would  patiently  frank  "soldiers'  letters"  by  the 
hundred,  or  write  letters  for  the  invalids  in  the  hospital,  and 
in  a  hundred  ways  bestowed  on  them  those  gentle  and  tender 
benefactions  that  only  a  generous  heart  could  have  conceived 
and  executed,  but  which  were  of  priceless  value  to  the  poor, 
despondent,  suffering  soldier.  He  seemed  never  to  tire  in  his 
devotion  to  the  "boys"  of  the  First  Regiment,  and  it  is  unde- 
niable that  his  devotion  to  them  seriously  injured  his  health 
and  perhaps  shortened  his  life,  while  it  is  equally  true  that  his 
unceasing  generosity  impaired  his  fortune  and  produced  em- 
barrassment that  compelled  him  to  sacrifice  valuable  property 
at  home.  But  he  has  left  "a  monument  more  enduring  than 
brass."  His  name,  always  mentioned  with  respect  by  every 
one  in  his  own  State,  is  now  almost  sacred  in  thousands  of 
grateful  hearts  of  the  surviving  members  of  the  First  Regiment, 
their  relations,  and  indeed  every  patriotic  citizen  of  our  State. 

In  1862,  he  was  urged  to  accept  the  nomination  for  Con- 
gressman again,  but  declined  to  do  so  by  the  advice  of  his 
friends,  at  whose  solicitation  he  ran  for  U.  S.  Senator  during  the 
Legislature  of  1863,  but  was  not  successful.  This  fact  was 
more  regretted  by  others  than  by  himself,  as  during  his  public 
life  his  private  affairs  had  become  much  involved,  and  needed 
his  personal  care  and  attention,  while  his  health  had  also 
suffered  to  some  extent  from  over-exertion,  and  he  was  very 
glad  to  retire  from  public  service  to  restore  both.  He  did, 
however,  accept  from  President  Lincoln,  who  had  been  for 
many  years  a  warm  personal  friend  of  his,  an  appointment  as 


218  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

one  of  the  Commissioners  to  examine  claims  for  Indemnity  to 
sufferers  by  the  Sioux  raid.  This  was  a  difficult  and  embar- 
rassing position  to  hold  ;  but  he  executed  the  trust  without 
detriment  to  the  rights  of  either  party. 

Mr.  Aldrich  was  one  of  the  corporators  of  the  Northern 
Pacific  Railroad,  an  enterprise  in  which  he  felt  much  interest, 
and  labored  vigorously  to  get  it  started. 

In  1864,  he  yielded  to  the  solicitations  of  his  friends,  and 
was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Minnesota 
Legislature  of  1865.  He  here  served  his  constituents  and  the 
State  with  his  old  energy  and  fidelity.  In  the  spring  of  1865 
he  was  elected  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the 
town,  the  last  position  to  which  he  was  elected  by  popular  vote. 

In  1867,  without  any  solicitations  on  his  part,  and  unex- 
pectedly to  him,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster  of  Minneapolis, 
an  office  which  he  filled  with  satisfaction  to  all  until  the 
spring  of  1871,  a  term  of  four  years,  when  his  successor  was 
appointed.  i 

During  his  residence  in  Minneapolis,  no  man  worked  harder 
for  its  advancement  than  he.  He  was  ever  ready  to  give  labor 
or  means  in  any  public  enterprise,  and  whenever  a  subscrip- 
tion paper  was  circulatied  for  any  worthy  object,  the  name  of 
Cyrus  Aldrich  was  sure  to  be  found  on  it  for  a  liberal  amount. 
His  community  could  have  lost  no  one  more  true  to  her 
interests,  nor  whom  they  could  have  more  illy  spared. 

After  retiring  from  the  office  of  postmaster,  he  withdrew  as 
far  as  possible  from  all  active  business.  His  health  was  gradu- 
ally failing,  and  the  evening  of  a  well  spent  life  was  passed  in 
his  family,  quietly  and  serenely.  He  calmly  awaited  the 
approach  of  his  end,  which  he  felt  was  near  at  hand,  but  he 
w^as 

"—Sustained  and  soothed 
By  an  unfaltering  trust — " 

in  the  mercy  and  goodness  of  his  Heavenly  Father.  Kind 
friends  and  loving  relatives  ministered  to  his  wants  and 
smoothed  his  pathway  to  the  tomb.  Religion  came  to  him 
with  its  soothing  consolations.  He  believed  and  was  baptised 
in  the  faith.  His  mind  was  remarkably  clear,  and  he  even  gave 
directions  for  his  funeral  and  selected  his  own  pall  bearers. 


MEMOIR    OP    HON.  CYRUS    ALDRIOH.  219 

On  the  5th  of  October,  1871,  his  eyes  closed  forever  on  this 
world. 

His  death  created  general  sorrow  in  the  community  inhere  he 
was  so  well  known  and  so  much  beloved.  Perhaps  the  death 
of  no  other  citizen  could  have  been  so  sincerely  lamented.  He 
had  not  an  enemy  among  the  many  thousands  who  knew  him. 
His  remains  were  interred  in  Lakewood  Cemetery  on  Sunday, 
October  the  8th.  This  funeral  was  one  of  the  largest  that  has 
ever  occurred  in  the  State.  It  seemed  as  if  nearly  the  entire 
community  were  in  attendance.  The  Masonic  Order,  the  Fire 
Department,  and  other  civic  bodies  were  in  the  procession, 
while  an  immense  concourse  followed  on  foot  and  in  carriages. 
The  funeral  services  took  place  at  the  Universalist  church, 
where  Rev.  Dr.  Tuttle,  the  pastor,  preached  a  touching  ser- 
mon. It  so  strikingly  sketches  Col.  Aldrich's  character,  that 
I  can  do  no  better  than  close  this  hasty  and  imperfect  sketch 
by  quoting  part  of  it : 

"  Col.  Aldrioh  was,  during  most  of  his  years,  a  public  man. 
From  the  time  he  emigrated  from  Rhode  Island  to  the  State  of 
Illinois,  over  thirty  years  ago,  up  to  near  the  time  of  his  death, 
there  were  not  half  a  dozen  years  in  which  he  was  not  doing 
service  for  the  public.  He  was  therefore  brought  in  contact 
with  a  large  number  of  our  most  distinguished  men  and  became 
thoroughly  conversant  with  nearly  all  the  measures  and  inter- 
ests which  agitated  courts,  legislatures  and  the  United  States 
Congress.  His  opportunities  for  doing  good,  then,  for  serving 
the  institutions  for  which  he  cherished  always  a  patriotic  pride, 
were  exceedingly  great.  He  used  these  opportunities  with 
conspicuous  fidelity.  If  he  was  ever  charged  with  appropriat- 
ing moneys  that  were  not  his,  of  subverting  his  office  in  any 
scheme  of  corruption,  that  charge  never  reached  my  ears.  I 
have  never  known  a  public  man,  a  man  who  like  him  had 
stemmed  long  and  often  the  current  of  party  opposition,  whom 
the  common  speech  of  community  treated  more  kindly,  whose 
reputation  for  fair  and  honorable  dealing,  for  resisting  bribery, 
for  keeping  square  accounts,  was  better  protected  from  severe 
criticism. 

*'  The  deeds  which  longer  than  all  others,  perhaps,  will  keep 
his  memory  fresh  in  the  hearts  of  his  surviving  fellow  citizens, 
29 


220  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

and  which  will  embalm  his  name  in  loving  gratitude  among  the 
people  of  this  State,  are  those  which  he  performed  in  aid  of 
our  soldiers  during  the  late  rebellion.  Many,  very  many,  are 
the  touching  incidents  which  might  be  related  of  his  true, 
earnest,  patriotic  devotion  during  those  perilous  times — of  the 
way  he  emptied  his  pockets  to  aid  the  cause.  But  why  should 
I  dwell  upon  these  things,  and  before  you  who  saw  his  unsel- 
fishness, who  were  daily  witnesses  of  his  patriotic  sacrifices, 
who  know  better  than  I,  how  all  the  soldiers  loved  and  honored 
him,  how  gratefully  they  mentioned  his  name  and  treasured  in 
their  heart  of  hearts  his  friendly  counsels  and  deeds  of  sym- 
pathy.' 

"  He  was  unusually  tender  hearted,  sympathetic  and  gen- 
erous. He  was  quick  to  perceive  the  wants  of  his  fellow  men, 
and  ever  ready  and  willing  to  render  all  the  aid  in  his  power. 
He  was  especially  kind  to  the  poor.  Perhaps  there  was  no 
one  in  our  city,  of  his  means  and  of  his  cares,  who  listened 
more  attentively  to  tales  of  poverty  and  suffering,  and  made 
greater  sacrifices  to  afford  the  relief  that  was  asked.  It  was  a 
pleasure  for  him  to  do  his  neighbors  a  kindness — indeed,  his 
every  day  life  was  filled  with  kindness,  with  kind  words  and 
with  all  those  genial  manners  and  easy  courtesies  which  mark 
a  noble  and  generous  mind. 

"  For  fifteen  years  his  form  has  been  a  familiar  sight  in  Min- 
neapolis, and  his  name  was  associated  with  most  of  your  city 
interests.  This  great  gathering,  to-day,  of  his  friends  and 
neighbors  and  acquaintances,  is  a  better  attestation  of  the  very 
high  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  in  this  community  than  any 
words  of  mine  can  be. 

"  The  deceased  was  thoroughly  aware  several  weeks  ago 
that  his  life  was  drawing  to  a  close.  He  sent  for  me,  and  in  a 
very  deliberate  manner  affirmed  his  convictions  concerning  the 
approaching  dissolution,  and  told  me  quite  minutely  of  his 
wishes  in  regard  to  the  funeral,  &c.  Subsequently  he  sent  for 
me  again,  and  requested  me  to  pray  with  him  and  to  administer 
to  him  the  rights  of  baptism  and  the  communion.  He  seemed 
to  be  profoundly  impressed  and  comforted  by  these  solemn 
services.  I  saw  him  at  other  times,  and  at  his  request  offered 
prayer.     He  expressed  a  desire  to  live — to  have  a  few  years 


» 


I 


MEMOIR   OF  pON.  CYRUS    ALDRICH.  221 

more  to  enjoy  with  his  family,  and  to  complete  some  objects 
he  had  in  view,  if  such  a  thing  could  be  ;  but  he  did  not  com- 
plain or  rebel  against  the  decree  of  Providence.  He  conversed 
often  and  freely  and  calmly,  even  cheerfully  and  hopefully, 
with  his  family  in  regard  to  his  departure,  and  made  every 
necessary  arrangement.  His  mind  was  clear  and  sound  to  the 
last.  He  suffered  much,  but  murmured  very  little.  His  dis- 
tress increased  so  much,  finally,  and  his  weariness  was  so  great 
that  he  longed  to  go  and  be  at  rest.  The  closing  moments 
were  short  and  without  much  apparent  pain.  He  fell  asleep 
easily  and  peacefully." 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  LUCIAN  GALTIER 

THE  FIRST  CATHOLIC  PRIEST  OF  SAINT  PAUL. 


BY  REV.  JOHN  IRELAND. 

The  name  of  Rev.  Lucian  Galtier  is  inseparably  interwoven 
with  the  early  history  of  St.  Paul.  If  any  one  man  can  be 
said  to  have  been  the  founder  of  this  city,  in  the  beginnings 
of  which  there  were  many  more  or  less  concerned,  the  honor  of 
the  title  is  to  be  awarded  to  him.  It  was  his  little  mission- 
ary chapel  that  grouped  together  the  early  settlers  who  were 
pitching  their  tents  along  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Mississippi, 
and  thus  became  the  nucleus  of  the  future  city.  The  name  he 
bestowed  on  the  chapel  was  adopted  by  the  new  settlement, 
and  retained  by  it  as  it  grew  up  and  developed  into  the  St. 
Paul  of  to-day. 

It  is  proper  that  the  Minnesota  Historical  Societ^^  whose 
object  it  is  to  collect  and  preserve  whatever  items  of  our  history 
might  hereafter  prove  of  interest,  should  be  possessed  of  the 
principal  circumstances  of  the  life  of  this  venerable  clergyman, 
more  especially  of  those  connected  with  the  origin  and  growth 
of  our  city.  The  task  is  easy.  The  circumstances  in  the  life 
of  Father  Galtier,  that  could  at  any  time  have  been  of  what 
we  might  call  public  interest,  are  few  in  number.  His  was  the 
career  of  a  humble,  devoted  priest  of  the  Catholic  church, 
noiselessly  but  faithfully  fulfilling  the  every -day  duties  of  his 
oflSce — preaching,  administering  the  sacraments,  providing  for 
the  instruction  of  youth,  visiting  the  sick.  To  rehearse  his 
life  in  detail,  would  be  to  describe  facts  which,  occurring  as 


MEMOIR   OF   REV.  LUCIAN    GALTIER. 


223 


they  do  in  the  life  of  almost  every  priest,  are  of  a  nature  too 
well  known  to  be  deserving  of  a  special  mention.  SuflSce  to 
say  that,  of  those  ordinary,  humble  duties,  Father  Galtier 
ever  acquitted  himself  conscientiously  and  untiringly.  The 
testimony  of  all  who  knew  him  is,  that  he  was  a  good  citizen, 
a  good  Christian,  and  a  good  priest.  His  labors,  undertaken 
on  his  part  with  zeal  and  energy,  have  been  of  great  profit  to 
those  who,  at  different  periods,  were  committed  to  his  pastoral 
care,  and  now  that  he  has  been  taken  from  us  by  his  Divine 
Master,  "  His  memory  is  in  benediction." 

LuciAN  Galtier,  the  subject  of  the  present  notice,  was  born 
in  France,  Department  of  Ardeches,  A.  D.  1811.  From  an 
early  age,  he  looked  forward  to  the  priesthood  as  his  vocation, 
and  was  a  student  of  theology  in  the  seminary  of  his  native 
diocese,  when  Bishop  Loras,  the  then  newly  appointed  prelate 
of  Dubuque,  arrived  in  Europe,  in  quest  of  laborers  for  the 
immense  region  confided  to  his  spiritual  charge.  The  mission- 
aries whom  the  bishop  persuaded  to  follow  him  to  the  wilds  of 
Western  America,  were  Rev.  Jos.  Cretin,  afterwards  first 
bishop  of  St.  Paul,  Rev.  Jos.  Pellamourgues,  now  vicar-gen- 
eral of  Dubuque,  Rev.  A.  Ravodx,  now  vicar-general  of  St. 
Paul,  Rev.  Messrs.  Causse  and  Petiot,  who  have  since  returned 
to  France,  and  Rev.  L.  Galtier.  The  party  landed  in  New 
York  in  the  fall  of  1838.  Messrs.  Galtier,  Ravoux,  Causse 
and  Petiot,  who  had  not  yet  completed  their  studies,  pro- 
ceeded to  Emmitsburg  College,  Md.,  where  they  remained 
about  a  year.  They  were  ordained  in  Dubuque,  Jan.  5th,  1640, 
being  the  first  Catholic  priests  ever  ordained  on  the  north- 
western side  of  the  Mississippi  River. 

The  Diocese  of  Dubuque  comprised  what  was  then  the  Ter- 
ritory of  Iowa,  the  present  State  of  Iowa,  and  as  much  of 
Minnesota  as  lies  to  the  west  of  the  Mississippi.  The  east 
side,  though  under  the  direct  jurisdiction  of  the  Bishop  of  Mil- 
waukee, was,  however,  generally  attended  to  by  Dubuque 
priests,  who,  geographically,  were  in  closer  proximity  than 
those  of  other  dioceses.  Apart  from  the  voyages  of  the  Jesuit 
Fathers,  200  and  150  years  ago,  the  commencement  of  Catho- 
licity in  Minnesota  dates  from  the  year  1839.  No  doubt  there 
had  been,  previously,  Catholics  in  Minnesota,  among  the  sol- 


224  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

diers  of  the  Fort  and  the  traders  ;  but  up  to  that  year  they  had 
had  no  church  organization,  no  attendance  from  a  clergyman. 
In  the  summer  of  1839,  Bishop  Loras  arrived  at  Fort  Snel- 
ling,  in  company  with  Father  Pellamodrgues,  to  see  what 
could  be  done,  if  anything,  for  Catholicity  in  that  portion  of 
his  Diocese.  They  remained  some  time,  partly  at  the  Fort, 
partly  at  the  St.  Peter's  trading  post,  (Mendota),  and  before 
leaving  promised  the  soldiers  and  the  employees  of  the  Ameri- 
can Fur  Company,  who  professed  the  Catholic  religion,  that 
they  soon  would  have  a  priest  permanently  located  among 
them.  Those  were  not  days  of  frequent  steamboat  trips  ;  so 
the  Bishop  was  obliged,  when  returning  to  Dubuque,  to  con- 
fide himself  to  a  little  Indian  canoe.  The  first  night  after 
leaving  the  Fort,  he  rested  on  the  river  bank  beneath  Day- 
ton's Bluff,  and  often  afterwards  he  spoke  of  the  sore  blisters, 
which  the  unusual  labor  of  rowing  inflicted  on  his  hands. 

One  day  in  the  spring  of  1840,  Bishop  Loras  heard  the 
whistle  of  the  first  boat  from  St.  Louis,  nearing  the  wharf  of 
Dubuque.  He  was  told  it  was  bound  to  Fort  Snelling.  He 
remembered  his  promise  to  send  there  a  priest ;  he  called  on 
Father  Galtier,  who,  since  the  time  of  his  ordination,  had  re- 
sided at  the  cathedral.  In  an  hour  the  latter  was  ready  and 
on  board  the  boat.  We  cannot  relate  better  the  facts  that 
followed,  than  by  copying  a  letter,  which  Father  Galtier  him- 
self wrote,  some  three  years  ago,  to  Bishop  Grace,  of  St.  Paul, 
who  had  requested  of  him  an  account  of  his  mission  in  Minne- 
nesota : 

"  Prairie-du-Chien,  January  14,  1864. 

"  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  : — Your  favor  of  the  4th  inst.,  I  received 
this  week.  To  comply  with  your  wishes,  I  will  try  to  give 
3^ou,  in  a  few  lines,  an  imperfect  sketch  of  my  short  stay,  in 
what  was  then  mostly  Indian  ground,  and  now  is  the  most  con- 
spicuous and  most  promising  part  of  your  flourishing  Diocese. 

"  On  the  26th  day  of  April,  1840,  in  the  afternoon,  a  St. 
Louis  steamboat,  the  first  of  the  season,  arrived  at  Dubuque, 
bound  for  St.  Peter  (Mendota)  and  Ft.  Snelling.  Rt.  Rev.  Dr. 
LoRAS  immediately  came  to  me,  and  told  me  he  desired  to  send 
me  towards  the  upper  waters  of  the  Mississippi.  There 
was  no  St.  Pau)   at  the  time ;  there  was,  on  the  site  of  the 


MEMOIR   OF    REV.  LUCIAN    GALTIER.  225 

present  city,  but  a  single  log-house,  occupied  by  a  man  named 
Phelan,  and  steamboats  never  stopped  there. 

"■  The  boat  landed  at  ihe  foot  of  Fort  Snelling,  then  gar- 
risoned by  a  few  companies  of  Regular  soldiers  under  command 
of  Major  Plympton.  The  sight  of  the  Fort,  commanding  from 
the  elevated  promontory  the  two  rivers,  the  Mississippi  and 
the  St.  Peter,  (Minnesota,)  pleased  me  ;  but  the  discovery, 
which  I  soon  made,  that  there  were  only  a  few  houses  on  the 
St.  Peter  side,  and  but  two  on  the  side  of  the  Fort,  surrounded 
by  a  complete  wilderness,  and  without  any  signs  of  fields  under 
tillage,  gave  me  to  understand  that  my  mission  and  life  must 
henceforth  be  a  career  of  privation,  hard  trials  and  suffering, 
and  required  of  me  patience,  labor  and  resignation.  I  had 
before  me  a  large  territory  under  my  charge,  but  few  souls  to 
watch  over.  I  introduced  myself  to  Mr.  Campbell,  a  Scotch  gen- 
tleman, the  Indian  Interpreter,  to  whom  I  was  recommended  by 
the  bishop.  At  his  house  I  received  a  kind  welcome  from  his 
good  wife,  a  charitable  catholic  woman.  For  about  a  month 
I  remained  there  as  one  of  the  family.  But,  although  well 
treated  by  all  the  members  of  the  house,  I  did  not,  while  thus 
living,  feel  sufficiently  free  to  discharge  my  pastoral  duties  ;  so 
1  obtained  a  separate  room  for  my  own  use,  and  made  of  it  a 
kitchen,  a  parlor  and  a  chapel.  Out  of  some  boards  I  formed 
a  little  altar,  which  was  opened  out  in  time  of  service,  and 
during  the  balance  of  the  day  folded  up  and  concealed  by 
drapery. 

"  In  that  precarious  and  somewhat  difficult  condition,  I  con- 
tinued for  over  a  year.  On  the  Fort  Snelling  side,  I  had  un- 
der my  care,  besides  some  soldiers,  six  families,  Resche, 
Papin,  Quinn,  Campbell,  Bruce  and  Resicko,  and  on  the  St. 
Peter  side,  besides  some  unmarried  men  in  the  employ  of  the 
company,  five  families,  Faribault,  Martin,  Lord,  and  two 
TuRPiNS.  No  event  worth  noticing  occurred,  except  some 
threatening  alarms  given  by  the  Chippewas  to  the  Dakotas. 
During  that  year,  too,  in  the  month  of  August,  I  returned  sick 
from  a  visit  I  had  made  to  a  few  families  settled  in  the  vicinity 
of  Lake  St.  Croix.  Prostrated  by  bilious  fever  and  ague,  at 
the  military  hospital,  for  nearly  two  months,  I  could  not  have 
recovered,  were  it  not  for  the  skill  of  Dr.  Turner,  and  the  con- 


226  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

tinued  and  kind  attentions  of  his  good  lady.  My  grateful 
heart  will  never  forget  the  i'elief  I  experienced  at  their  hands. 
Both  the  officers  and  soldiers  also  showed  me  great  respect  and 
affection,  and  twice,  some  time  after,  although  they  had  their 
chaplain,  I  had  occasion  to  preach  and  offer  the  Holy  Sacrifice 
in  the  Fort.  What  most  grieved  me,  while  sick,  was  the 
thought  that  no  fellow  priest  was  nearer  than  three  hundred 
miles  to  me ;  but  most  unexpectedly,  God,  in  his  mercy,  sent 
me  one,  whose  visit  seemed  to  me  as  that  of  an  angel.  Rt. 
Rev.  Dr.  De  Forbin  Janson,  ex-Bishop  of  Nancy,  France,  was 
then  visiting  the  Northwest ;  he  arrived  at  the  Fort,  and  hear- 
ing that  I  was  sick,  alighted  immediately  from  the  boat,  re- 
ceived my  confession,  and  spoke  to  me  words  of  consolation 
and  comfort.     This  was  in  August,  1840. 

"  A  circumstance,  rather  sad  in  itself,  commenced  to  better 
my  situation,  by  procuring  for  me  a  new  station  and  a  variety 
in  my  scenes  of  labor.  Some  families,  most  of  whom  had  left 
the  Red  River  settlement,  British  America,  on  account  of  the 
flood  and  the  loss  of  their  crops,  in  the  years  1837  and  1838, 
had  located  themselves  all  along  the  right  bank  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, opposite  the  Fort.  Unfortunately  some  soldiers,  now 
and  then,  crossed  the  river  to  the  houses  of  these  settlers,  and 
returned  intoxicated,  sometimes  remaining  out  a  day  or  two, 
or  more  without  reporting  to  their  quarters.  Consequently,  a 
deputy-marshal  from  Prairie-du-Chien,  was  charged  to  remove 
the  houses.  He  went  to  work,  assisted  by  soldiers,  and  un- 
roofed, one  after  another,  the  cottages,  extending  about  five 
miles  along  the  river.  The  settlers  were  forced  to  look  for 
new  homes  ;  they  located  themselves  about  two  miles  below 
the  cave.  Already  a  few  parties  had  opened  farms  in  this 
vicinity  ;  added  to  these,  the  new  accessions  formed  quite  a 
little  settlement.  Among  the  occupants  of  this  ground  were 
Rondeau,  who  had  purchased  the  only  cultivated  claim  in  the 
place — that  of  Phelan,  Vital  GuERiN,  Pierre  Bottineau,  Ger- 
VAis  and  his  brother,  &c.,  &c. — I  deemed  it  my  duty  to  visit 
occasionally  those  families,  and  set  to  work  to  choose  a  suit- 
able spot  for  a  church. 

*'  Three  points  were  off'ered.  The  first  was  La  Pointe  Basse 
or  Pointe  Leclair  (now,  on  account  of  a  sand  bar  in  its  vicinity, 


MEMOIR    OF    REV.  LUCIAN    GALTIER.  227 

commonly  known  as  Pig's  Eye  bar.)  I  objected  to  this  place  ; 
it  was  the  extreme  end  of  the  settlement,  and,  being  low 
ground,  was  exposed  in  high  water  to  inundation.  The  idea 
of  having  the  church  one  day  swept  down  to  St.  Louis  did  not 
please  me.  Two  and  a  half  miles  further  up,  on  his  claim,  a 
Catholic,  named  Charles  Mousseau,  offered  to  me  an  acre  of 
his  ground  ;  but  neither  did  this  place  suit  my  purpose.  I  was, 
indeed,  looking  ahead,  to  the  future  as  well  as  to  the  present 
time.  Steamboats  could  not  stop  here ;  the  bank  was  too 
steep,  and  the  space  on  the  summit  too  narrow ;  communica- 
tion would  be  diflScult  with  the  places  of  the  other  settlers  up 
and  down  the  river.  After  mature  reflection,  I  resolved  to  put 
up  the  church  as  near  as  possible  to  the  Cave,  it  being  more 
convenient,  on  my  way  from  St.  Peter,  to  cross  the  river  at 
that  point,  and  that  being  the  nearest  spot  to  the  head  of 
navigation,  outside  the  reservation  line. 

*'  M!essrs.  B.  Gervais  and  Vital  Guerin,  two  good,  quiet 
farmers,  owned  the  only  ground  that  appeared  likely  to  suit. 
They  both  consented  to  give  suflScient  land  for  a  church,  a 
garden,  and  a  small  grave-yard.  I  accepted  the  extreme  east- 
ern part  of  Mr.  Vital's  claim,  and  the  extreme  west  of  Mr. 
Gervais'. 

"  In  the  month  of  October,  1841,  I  had,  on  the  above  stated 
place,  logs  cut  and  prepared,  and  soon  a  poor  log  church,  that 
would  remind  one  of  the  stable  of  Bethlehem,  was  built.  The 
nucleus  of  St.  Paul  was  formed.  On  Nov.  1st,  1841, 1  blessed 
the  new  Basilica ,  smaller  indeed  than  the  Basilica  of  St.  Paul, 
in  Rome,  but  as  well  adapted  as  the  latter  for  prayer  and  love 
to  arise  therein  from  pious  hearts. 

"  The  church  was  thus  dedicated  to  St.  Paul,  and  I  expressed 
a  wish  that  the  settlement  should  be  known  by  no  other  name. 
I  succeeded.  I  had,  previously  to  this  time,  fixed  my  residence 
at  St.  Peter,  and  as  the  name  of  Paul  is  generally  connected 
with  that  of  Peter,  and  the  gentiles  being  well  represented  in 
the  new  place  in  the  persons  of  the  Indians,  I  called  it  St. 
Paul.  Thenceforth  we  could  consider  St.  Paul  our  protector 
— and  as  a  model  of  apostolic  life,  could  I  have  desired  a  bet- 
ter patron?  With  the  great  apostle  I  could  repeat :  '  When  I 
30 


228  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

am  weak,  then  I  am  powerful,' — a  good  motto,  I  am  sure,  even 
for  an  apostolic  bishop. 

"  The  name,  St.  Paul,  applied  to  a  town  or  city,  seemed 
appropriate.  The  monosyllable  is  short,  sounds  well,  and  is 
understood  by  all  denominations  of  Christians.  When  Mr. 
Vital  Guerin  was  married,  I  published  the  banns  as  being 
those  of  '  a  resident  of  St.  Paul.'  A  Mr.  Jackson  put  up  a 
store,  and  a  grocery  was  opened  at  the  foot  of  the  Gervais 
claim.  This  soon  brought  steamboats  to  land  there.  Thence- 
forth the  place  was  known  as  St.  Paul  Landing,  and  later  on, 
as  St.  Paul.  When  some  time  ago  an  effort  was  made  to 
change  the  name,  I  did  all  I  could  to  oppose  the  project,  by 
writing  from  Prairie  du  Chien. 

"  The  families  which  I  have  mentioned  as  being  on  the  Fort 
side,  at  the  time  of  my  arrival  there,  had  afterwards  to  leave  ; 
only  two  remained.  I  could  not  do  much  good,  by  continuing 
to  reside  there.  The  St.  Peter  Trading  Post  was  the  only 
ground  left  me.  I  removed  thither,  determined  to  remain 
steadfast  as  a  rock.  Mr.  Faribault,  the  oldest  pioneer  of  the 
place,  a  true  gentleman,  offered  me  a  small  house-  which  I 
accepted ;  it  was  repaired,  and  I  made  of  it  my  chapel,  con- 
tented to  reside  in  a  small  corner  of  it,  until  more  favorable 
circumstances.  I  visited  St.  Paul  regularly  and  occasionally 
St.  Croix  Settlement,  then  called  Willow  River,  and  now,  if  I 
am  not  mistaken,  Hudson.  In  1842,  June  5th,  Bishop  Loras 
gave  confirmation  to  a  few  persons.  During  a  short  absence 
of  mine,  Father  Ravoux  being  at  St.  Peter,  an  accident  threat- 
ened his  life.  One  night  while  soundly  sleeping  in  my  little 
room,  he  was  suddenly  aroused  by  a  tremendous  cracking  of 
the  main  beam,  that  supported  the  whole  roof.  Fortunately 
he  was  not  hurt ;  calling  for  help,  he  removed  everything  to  the 
house  of  Mr.  Faribault.  Once  more  we  had  to  make  a  mere 
room  a  temporary  place  for  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass. 
Hearing  of  the  accident,  I  left  St.  Paul,  went  to  St.  Peter,  and 
at  once  took  means  to  go  to  Chippewa  Falls,  in  order  to  get 
the  lumber  needed  for  a  new  building.  On,  my  return,  I  put 
men  to  work,  and  on  the  2d  day  of  Oct.,  1842,  I  blessed  the 
first  church  of  St.  Peter.  From  that  time,  up  to  the  day  of 
my  removal,  nothing  deserving  of  notice  happened,   save  the 


MEMOIR    OF    REV.  LUCIAN    GALTIER.  229 

passage  of  the  venerable  Bishop  of  St.  Boniface,  Mgr.  Pro- 
VENCHER  who  for  the  first  time,  but  not  without  much  danger, 
went,  via  St.  Paul  and  the  U.  S.  to  Canada,  a  new  route  hitherto 
unknown.  On  the  29th  of  Oct.,  the  little  bell  of  St.  Peter's 
chapel  was  blessed.  On  the  25th  of  May,  1844, 1  was  leaving 
to  better  hands  the  yet  barren  field  of  my  first  mission,  not 
without  feeling  deep  regret — not  without  leaving  friends  behind 
me.  ******* 

'*  LuciAN  Galtier." 

In  relation  to  the  buildings*  spoken  of  in  the  above  letter, 
we  will  state  that  Mr.  Campbell's  house  is  still  standing,  it 
being  one  of  the  stone  houses  outside  the  enclosure  of  the 
Fort.  The  church  in  St.  Peter,  or  Mendota,  is  also  yet  stand- 
ing. The  one  in  St.  Paul  was  taken  down  some  years  ago ; 
the  logs  are  secure,  and  it  is  the  intention  to  have  them  put 
together,  as  they  formerly  were,  and  thus  have  the  old  church 
preserved.  This  church  fronted  on  Bench  street,  and  was 
built  on  one  of  the  lots  of  what  is  now  called  the  Catholic 
Block.  This  Block  is  nothing  else  but  the  ground  formerly 
occupied  by  Father  Galtier. 

From  the  Cathedral  registers  we  learn  that  the  number  of 
baptisms  performed  by  Father  Galtier,  while  in  the  North- 
west, were  as  follows :  In  1840,  40;  in  1841,  35;  in  1842, 
35  ;  in  1843,  27.  His  flock  was  small,  but  dispersed  as  they 
were,  themselves  strangers  to  material  comfort,  it  required  no 
small  degree  of  courage  and  self-denial  in  a  clergyman  to  labor 
among  them. 

Father  Galtier,  on  his  removal  from  the  north,  was  placed 
in  charge  of  the  missions  at  Keokuk,  Iowa.  In  1848  he  returned 
to  France,  intending  to  spend  there  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
He  had  been  strongly  pressed  to  take  charge  of  the  French 
congregation  of  the  Cathedral  at  St.  Louis,  but  refused.  After 
some  time  spent  in  Europe,  he  again  longed  for  the  missionary 
life  of  an  American  priest,  and  again  crossed  the  Atlantic. 
On  his  return,  he  was  placed  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  where  he 
remained  until  his  death,  Feb.  21st,  1866. 

He  visited  St.  Paul  in  1853,  and  in  1865,  and  thus  had 
opportunities  of  seeing  what  his  little  chapel  of  St.  Paul  had 


230  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

come  to.  Even  if  he  did  have  the  future  in  view,  when  he  was 
selecting  the  site  of  that  church,  we  may  feel  sure  in  asserting 
that  he  never,  in  his  most  sanguine  dreams,  fancied  that  the 
settlement  would  become  what  it  is,  and  what  it  is  destined  to 
be.  He  loved  our  city  and  our  State  dearly ;  nothing  in  his 
old  age  used  to  afford  him  more  pleasure  than  to  meet  with 
persons  from  St.  Paul,  and  to  enquire  of  them  how  our  city 
was  progressing.  St.  Paul,  we  are  glad  to  say,  remembers 
him ;  his  friends  take  an  especial  pride  in  the  fact  that  his 
death  was  noticed  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Historical  Society, 
and  that,  not  many  months  ago,  the  City  Council  bestowed  his 
name  on  one  of  the  streets  of  St.  Paul. 
June  10,  1867. 


MEMOIR  OF  HON.  DAVID  OLMSTED, 


BY  J.  P.  W. 

Some  considerable  time  has  elapsed  since  the  death  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  and  it  might  appear  that  the  Historical 
Society  is  culpably  tardy  in  doing  this  justice  to  his  memory. 
But  the  delay  has  arisen  solely  from  inability  to  procure  the 
material  requisite  to  prepare  a  memoir  complete  enough  to  be 
worthy  of  the  subject.  His  career  subsequent  to  his  arrival 
in  Minnesota  was,  of  course,  quite  well  known  to  the  old 
settlers,  and  could  have  been  easily  written  up  ;  but  the  por- 
tion particularly  needed  was  the  events  of  his  early  life,  before 
settling  in  this  State.  The  writer  has  been  in  quest  of  these 
for  several  years,  but  until  very  recently  has  been  unable  to 
secure  sufficiently  full  and  accurate  particulars  of  Mr.  Olmsted's 
younger  days,  to  warrant  the  publication  of  a  memoir.  From 
his  brother,  Page  Olmsted,  Esq.,  of  Monona,  Iowa,  and  from 
other  sources,  the  writer  has  at  length  secured  data  and  facts 
that  enables  him  to  place  on  record  in  these  Collections,  a  brief, 
but  it  is  thought,  correct  memoir  of  one  of  the  best  and  purest 
public  men  connected  with  the  history  of  Minnesota — regret- 
ting only  that  the  task  had  n6t  fallen  to  one  more  competent. 

David  Olmsted  was  born  in  Fairfax,  Franklin  county,  Ver- 
mont, May  5th,  1822.  His  father,  Timothy  Olmsted,  was 
descended  from  some  of  the  earliest  Puritan  colonists  of  Con- 
necticut. In  May,  1824,  the  residence  of  the  family  was  com- 
pletely destroyed  by  fire,  with  most  of  its  contents.  This  was 
a  serious  misfortune  for  Mr.  Olmsted's  family,  as  their  means 
were  limited,  and  it  was  only  by  some  years  of  hard  labor  and 
strict  economy  that  the  loss  was  made  good.     It  was  an  event 


232  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

that  closely  affected  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  as  it  deprived 
him  in  a  considerable  degree  of  the  education  which  he 
would  otherwise  have  had,  and  he  was  able  to  obtain  but  a 
limited  amount  of  school  tuition.  He  had  a  mind  active  and 
quick,  however,  and  made  good  use  of  such  opportunities  as 
he  had,  while  the  loss  of  schooling  was  in  a  great  measure 
compensated  by  other  advantages.  His  mother  was  a  woman 
of  unusual  intelligence  and  discretion,  and  to  her  home  training 
he  was  doubtless  indebted  more  than  to  any  other  source,  for 
the  knowledge  he  acquired  during  his  boyhood. 

In  the  spring  of  1838,  at  the  age  of  16,  he  left  home  with  the 
approbation  of  his  parents,  his  sole  means  consisting  of  $20 
in  money,  to  seek  his  fortune  in  the  great  West.  By  stopping 
occasionally  to  work  when  his  means  were  exhausted,  he  reached 
Chicago  in  about  a  month.  From  Chicago  he  went  to  Mineral 
Point,  Wisconsin,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  a  Mr. 
Lathrop  who  was  keeping  a  hotel.  During  the  fall  of  that 
year  the  hotel  was  burned  in  the  night,  and  Olmsted  with 
several  other  inmates,  narrowly  escaped  by  jumping  from  the 
window  of  an  upper  story,  losing  all  their  effects. 

Late  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  young  Olmsted  went  to  Grant 
county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  entered  40  acres  of  Government 
land,  lying  on  Grant  river,  about  six  miles  north  of  Potosi. 
Here  he  lived  for  some  months  in  the  rude  style  of  the  mining 
region,  keeping  "bachelors  liall"  with  a  friend  named  Willis 
St.  John.  In  the  fall  of  1839  his  brother  Page  visited  him, 
and  chanced  to  find  him  very  ill  with  bilious  fever,  the  region 
at  that  time  being  very  sickly.  After  his  recovery,  the  Olm- 
sted brothers  went  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  remained  there  for 
several  months. 

In  July,  1840,  they  started  on  foot  on  an  exploring  tour 
through  the  then  unsettled  portion  of  northern  Iowa,  on  the 
waters  of  Turkey  and  Yellow  Rivers,  looking  for  a  desirable 
place  to  settle.  Their  outfit  consisted  of  a  blanket  and  gun 
for  each,  and  as  much  provisions  as  they  felt  able  to  carry. 
They  spent  about  two  weeks  in  examining  the  country,  travel- 
ing over  a  considerable  distance.  They  finally  selected  a  spot 
about  thirteen  miles  west  of  the  Mississippi  River,  now  named 
Monona,  where,  without  a  team  or  other  help,  they  erected  a 


MEMOIR   OF    HON.  DAVID    OLMSTED.  233 

comfortable  log  cabin.  At  this  time  there  were  but  very  few 
white  settlers  nearer  than  Prairie  du  Chien,  on  the  east,  and 
none  whatever  on  the  west  of  their  location.  The  Winnebago 
Indians  then  possessed  the  country  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
north  and  west  of  the  claim  selected  by  the  young  pioneers, 
and  the  Olmsteds  found  it  to  their  advantage  to  occasionallj^ 
traffic  with  them,  and  consequently  learned  considerable  of 
their  character,  customs  and  language — a  fact  which  was  prob- 
ably the  cause  of  David  Olmsted  becoming  subsequently  con- 
nected with  the  Indian  trade  on  a  large  scale. 

Less  than  one  year  after  making  their  settlement,  the  Olm- 
sted brothers  disposed  of  their  joint  claim,  and  each  took  a 
new  one  in  the  same  neighborhood.  Up  to  this  time  the  Win- 
nebagoes  had  been  their  only  neighbors  west  and  north,  aad 
but  one  white  settler  east  or  south  nearer  than  seven  miles  ; 
yet  by  treating  the  Indians  with  perfect  fairness  they  had  won 
their  confidence,  and  only  on  one  occasion  did  the  Indians 
show  any  signs  of  enmity.  This  was  about  November, 
1840,  when  seven  young  Indians  came  to  the  cabin  occupied 
by  the  brothers,  about  sunset,  and  made  threats  to  burn  the 
cabin.  The  Olmsteds  at  once  bolted  the  door  of  their  cabin, 
when  the  Indians  commenced  trying  to  break  it  down.  For- 
tunately at  this  juncture  Mr.  Harman  Snyder,  who  had  been 
for  several  years  employed  as  government  blacksmith  among 
the  Winnebagoes,  came  along,  and  being  influential  with  the 
tribe,  and  speaking  their  language  perfectly,  he  persuaded 
them  to  desist  from  their  attack.  Had  he  not  done  so,  prob- 
ably the  Olmsteds  would  have  been  murdered.  This  is  but 
an  instance  of  the  dangers  and  risks  to  which  all  who  lived  in 
the  Indian  country  in  those  days  were  subjected.  When  in 
liquor  the  savages  would,  perhaps,  attack  their  best  friend. 
The  same  trait  was  exhibited  frequently  by  the  Sioux.  Dr. 
Williamson,  an  influential  missionary  to  the  Sioux  at  Kapo- 
sia,  respected  and  beloved  by  them,  was  frequently  compelled 
to  barricade  his  house,  to  save  his  life  from  the  drunken  at- 
tacks of  those  who,  when  sober,  were  his  warm  friends  and 
supporters. 

David  Olmsted  continued  improving  his  farm  during  the 
next  three  years,  when,  in  the  fall  of  1844,  being  now  twenty- 


284  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

two  years  of  age,  he  sold  his  claim  to  good  advantage,  and  em- 
barked in  the  Indian  trade,  near  Fort  Atkinson,  Iowa,  as  clerk 
for  W.  G.  and  G.  W.  Ewing,  licensed  traders  to  the  Winne- 
bagoes.  In  the  fall  of  1845,  Mr.  Olmsted  was  elected  from 
the  District  in  which  he  lived  (Clayton  county),  as  a  member 
of  the  Convention  to  frame  a  Constitution  for  a  State  Govern- 
ment in  Iowa.  The  Convention  assembled  in  May,  1846,  at 
Iowa  City.  It  consisted  of  thirty-three  members.  On  May 
18th  the  instrument  was  completed  and  signed  by  the  mem- 
bers, and  being  adopted  by  the  people,  gave  birth  to  the  great 
and  flourishing  State  of  Iowa.  We  might  mention  as  a  fact, 
showing  the  primitive  modes  of  traveling  in  Iowa,  at  that  day, 
that  a  prominent  citizen  of  Minnesota,  [Hon.  L.  B.  Hodges,] 
saw  Olmsted  on  his  way  to  the  Convention,  riding  a  hare- 
hacked  mule,  with  a  rope  halter.  Mr.  H.  further  states  that  so 
youthful  was  the  appearance  of  young  Olmsted  when  he  was 
elected,  that  many  of  his  constituents  thought  he  was  not  of 
age,  but  said  they  ''  would  send  him  anyhow,"  as  he  was  so 
much  esteemed. 

In  the  fall  of  1847,  Mr.  Olmsted,  in  company  with  H.  C. 
Rhodes,  purchased  the  interest  of  the  Ewings  in  the  Winne- 
bago trade,  and  in  the  summer  of  1848,  when  the  Indians  were 
removed  to  Long  Prairie,  Minn.,  he  accompanied  them. 

The  Winnebagoes  had,  in  October,  1846,  made,  at  Washing- 
ton City,  a  Treaty,  by  the  terms  of  which  they  agreed  to 
abandon  their  old  possessions  in  the  soon-to-be  State  of  Iowa, 
and  remove  to  a  new  reservation  procured  for  them  in  the 
Chippewa  country,  in  the  year  1848.  But  when  the  time  for 
their  removal  arrived,  they  seemed  very  reluctant  to  go,  and 
it  required  all  the  diplomacy  and  influence  of  Gen.  J.  E. 
Fletcher,^  their  agent,  accompanied  by  the  presence  of  U.  S. 
troops  from  Fort  Atkinson,  with  the  threat  of  coercion,  to 

1  Jonathan  Emerson  Fletchub  was  born  at  Thetford,  Vt.,  1806.  He  removed  to 
Ohio  when  a  young  man,  but  afterwards  settled  at  Muscatine,  Iowa,  in  1838,  and 
went  to  farming.  In  1846  he  was  appointed  by  Prest.  Polk  agent  for  the  Winneba- 
goes, and  remained  in  that  position  for  11  years.  During  this  period  he  resided  at 
Fort  Atkinson,  Iowa,  Long  Prairie,  and  Blue  Earth,  Minn,  He  returned  to  his  farm 
at  Muscatine  in  1858,  and  died  April  6, 1872.  He  left  a  wife  and  eight  children ,  several 
of  whom  were  born  in  Minnesota.  A  memoir  of  him  in  the  Muscatine  Journal  says : 
'  He  was  a  man  of  marked  and  noted  character  —a  man  of  talent,  energy  and  industry, 
actuated  at  all  times  by  troth,  right  and  justice." 


MEMOIR    OF    HOX.  DAVID    OLMSTED.  235 

induce  the  savages  to  start.  At  Wabasha  Prairie  (novv  Wi- 
nona) they  made  another  stand,  and  having  purchased  that 
spot  from  Wabasha,  the  Dakota  chief,  seemed  determined  to 
resist  to  bloodshed  any  attempt  to  move  them  a  step  farther. 
The  situation  was  now  critical.  The  first  drop  of  blood  hastily 
spilled  would  have  led  to  a  bitter  war.^  An  express  was  dis- 
patched to  Fort  Snelling  for  more  troops,  which  soon  arrived 
under  command  of  Capt.  Seth  Eastman.  This,  with  the  dra- 
goons from  Fort  Atkinson,  a  company  of  volunteers  from 
Crawford  county.  Wis.,  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  made  quite 
a  formidable  force.  The  Winnebagoes  began  to  reconsider 
their  first  hasty  resolves,  and  the  defection  of  a  part  of  their 
number  under  an  influential  chief,  added  to  the  arguments  and 
persuasion  of  Mr.  Olmsted,  Hon.  Henry  M.  Rice,  George 
Culver,  and  others  who  were  present,  finally  convinced  them 
that  resistance  would  be  unwise  and  ruinous,  and  they  pro- 
ceeded on  their  journey.  The  value  of  the  services  that  Mr. 
Olmsted  rendered  in  quieting  the  revolt  can  hardly  be  over- 
estimated. Perhaps  no  man  living  had  more  influence  with  the 
tribe  than  he.  They  trusted  him  implicitly.  Had  he  given  any 
encouragement  to  their  rebellious  conduct,  or  said  one  word  to 
urge  them  on,  a  long  and  bloody  war  with  the  tribe  would  have 
desolated  the  frontier. 

On  arriving  at  Long  Prairie,  Mr.  Olmsted,  with  his  partner, 
established  a  trading  post  which  was  continued  for  several 
years. 

Soon  after  settling  here,  Mr.  O.  met  with  an  adventure  which 
well  illustrates  the  dangers  and  casualties  to  which  the  pioneers 
of  a  new  country  are  exposed.  Believing  that  the  road,  or 
trail,  from  Long  Prairie  to  Sauk  Rapids  (which  was  very  cir- 
cuitous) could  be  shortened  by  a  new  route,  he  started  on 
horseback  in  company  with  an  old  Frenchman  named  Decho- 
QDETTE  to  survey  and  mark  out  a  new  route.  At  that  time  the 
region  was  a  perfect  wilderness  ;  no  surveys  had  been  made, 
and  Nicollet's  map  was  the  only  one  they  had.  This  was 
reallj'  of  no  use  to  them,  and  after  proceeding  some  distance 
they    became   involved   in   a   labyrinth  of  tamarac  swamps, 

1  Gen.  SiBLET  says  in  his  Reminiscences  that  "the  Winnebagoes  were  regarded  as 
among  the  most  turbulent  and  dangerous  of  the  North  Western  savages." 
31 


236  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

marshes,  sloughs  and  jungles,  until,  at  the  end  of  the  second 
day,  they  were  utterly  lost,  and  had  not  the  faintest  idea  of 
where  they  were,  or  how  to  retrace  their  way.  They  now 
turned  their  horses  loose,  and  endeavored  to  pick  their  way 
out,  but  without  success.  They  floundered  about  in  the  swamps 
for  seven  days  longer,  wet,  torn  by  briers  until  they  were 
almost  naked,  and  suffering  the  pangs  of  hunger.  During  this 
time  all  the  food  they  had  was  a  morsel  of  meat,  and  two  sun- 
fish  caught  in  a  stream.  They  finally  reached  Sauk  river, 
where  a  friend  who  had  gone  in  search  of  them  providentially 
found  them,  more  dead  than  alive.  During  the  last  two  days 
of  their  wanderings,  Dechoquette's  sufferings  had  driven  him 
partially  insane,  and  when  they  were  found,  neither  could 
walk.  Mr.  Olmsted's  naturally  strong  constitution  was  very 
seriously  impaired  by  the  sufferings  and  hardship  of  this 
adventure.  It  was  some  time  before  his  strength  was  measur- 
ably restored,  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  it  was  the  main  cause 
of  his  early  death  at  the  age  of  39,  when  he  should  have  been 
iu  the  prime  of  life. 

The  Territory  of  Minnesota  was  created  March  3d,  1849. 
On  July  7th,  Gov.  Ramsey  issued  a  Proclamation  dividing  the 
Territory  into  Council  Districts,  and  ordering  an  election  for 
members  of  the  Legislature,  on  August  7th.  Mr.  Olmsted  was 
elected  a  member  [for  two  years]  of  the  Council  from  the  Sixth 
District,  which  was  constituted  as  follows  :  ''The  Sauk  Rapids 
and  Crow  Wing  Precincts  of  the  county  of  St.  Croix,  and  all 
the  settlements  west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  on  and  north  of  a 
due  west  line  from  the  head  waters  of  said  river  to  the  north- 
ern line  of  the  Territory."  In  the  absence  of  any  surveys  or 
well  known  natural  lines,  this  was  the  only  way  in  which  such 
a  district  could  be  described.  The  Legislature  assembled  on 
September  3d,  and  Mr.  Olmsted  was  chosen  President  of  the 
Council,  The  next  session  of  the  Legislature  was  not  held 
untilJanuary,  1851.  It  is  unnecessary  to  add  that  Mr.  Olm- 
sted took  a  prominent  part  in  both  sessions.  His  fellow- 
members  and  the  public  soon  came  to  respect  and  esteem  him 
as  an  honorable  and  reliable  man,  and  a  faithful  public  officer. 
His  good  sense,  well-balanced  judgment  and  practical  views  on 
all  subjects  that  came  up  gained  him  much  influence,  and  though 


p 


MEMOIR   OF    HON.  DAVID    OLMSTED.  237 

modest  and  even  taciturn,  not  thrusting  himself  forward  in- 
cautiously, many  selected  him  as  one  wortlw  of  a  higher 
position — indeed,  one  for  which  he  was  soon  named. 

In  1851,  Mr.  Olmsted  married  a  Miss  Stevens,  daughter  of 
Judge  Stevens,  of  St.  Albans,  Vt.,  by  whom  he  had  a  son 
and  daughter,  both  now  residents  of  Minnesota. 

Soon  after  this,  finding  that  the  profits  of  the  Indian  trade 
were  becoming  so  small  as  not  to  justify  remaining  in  it  any 
longer,  he  disposed  of  his  interest  in  it,  and  removed  to  St. 
Paul,  where  he  not  long  afterwards  purchased  of  Col.  D.  A. 
Robertson,  proprietor  of  the  Minnesota  Democrat,  the  news- 
paper establishment  known  by  that  name.  Mr.  Olmsted  be- 
came proprietor  on  June  29,  1853,  and  remained  publisher  of 
the  same  until  September  2,  1854.  Without  having  much,  if 
any,  experience  as  a  writer  for  the  press,  prior  to  his  assum- 
ing the  editorial  chair,  he  nevertheless  had  good  success  in 
that  capacity.  His  clear,  logical  mode  of  thought,  mature 
judgment  and  practical  common-sense  views  of  every  subject, 
gave  his  plain,  terse  writing  a  force  and  influence  that  many 
more  polished  writers  could  not  have  commanded.  The  pa- 
per largely  extended  its  influence  and  circulation  under  his 
control,  and  was  changed  to  a  dally  in  May,  1854.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1854,  he  sold  out  to  the  late  Charles  L.  Emerson, 
on  account  of  his  failing  health.  His  connection  with  the 
Democrat  had  made  him  widely  known  and  popular  with  the 
people  of  the  Territory. 

In  the  spring  of  1854,  Saint  Paul  having  been  incorporated 
as  a  cit}',  Mr.  Olmsted  was  elected  its  first  Mayor,  a  position 
which  he  held  for  one  year. 

In  1855  Mr  Olmsted  removed  to  Winona,  then  a  village  of 
a  few  houses,  and  devoted  his  energies  to  building  up  that 
now  flourishing  city. 

During  the  summer  of  1855,  Mr.  Olmsted  was  brought 
prominently  before  the  people  of  this  Territory  as  a  candidate 
for  Delegate  to  Congress.  On  July  25,  the  first  regular  Re- 
publican convention  was  held  in  Minnesota,  and  Hoh.  Wm. 
R.  Marshall  nominated  for  Delegate.  The  same  day,  the 
Democratic  convention  met,  and  nominated  Hon.  Henry  M. 
Rice.      During  the  proceedings,  a  portion  of  the  delegates 


238  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

objecting  to  the  tenor  of  certain  resolutions  passed,  withdrew, 
and  forming  a  new  organization,  placed  Mr.  Olmsted  in  the 
field.  Thus  there  was  a  sort  of  "  triangular  "  contest,  three 
candidates,  each  with  a  leading  journal  advocating  his  claims, 
and  a  party  of  earnest  friends  supporting  him.  Many  of  the 
readers  of  this  paper  will  remember  the  warmth  of  the  contest. 
But  they  will  fail,  I  think,  to  remember  that  during  the  entire 
campaign  David  Olmsted  either  said  or  did  anything  unfair 
or  dishonest,  or  allowed  his  friends  to  do  so,  to  aid  his  cause. 
The  wing  of  the  party  which  placed  him  in  the  field,  however, 
was  too  feeble  in  strength  to  give  him  any  chance  of  success, 
and  Mr.  Olmsted  really  received  the  smallest  vote  of  the  three 
candidates,  though  he  came  out  of  the  contest  with  popularity 
unimpaired  and  honor  untarnished. 

In  the  fall  of  1856,  Mr.  Olmsted's  health  began  to  decline 
quite  rapidly,  and  he  was  advised  to  spend  the  winter  in  Cuba, 
which  he  did,  but  it  failed  to  check  the  progress  of  the  disease 
which  was  consuming  him.  His  strong  constitution  and 
tenacity  of  will  resisted  the  rapid  inroad  of  the  destroyer 
somewhat,  but  he  felt  tliat  the  end  could  not  be  far  ofi".  He 
therefore  returned  to  Minnesota,  and  after  visiting  his  relatives 
at  Monona,  Iowa,  and  Winona,  came  to  St.  Paul  to  see  his 
friends  here.  It  was  his  last  visit,  and  was  taken  advantage 
of  by  them  to  secure  the  portrait  which  now  hangs  in  the  City 
Hall.  In  October  he  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Franklin 
Co.,  Vermont,  to  remain  at  his  mother's  house  until  the  final 
summons  should  come.  He  was  soon  after  reduced  so  low  as 
to  be  unable  to  leave  the  house,  and  indeed  much  of  the  time 
confined  to  his  bed.  Even  in  this  stage,  though  suffering  great 
physical  pain  and  debility,  he  wrote  frequently  to  his  friends 
here.  His  letters  dated  during  this  period  breathe  an  air  of 
resignation  and  even  cheerfulness,  but  evidently  conceal  a 
sadness  when  speaking  of  his  wish  to  see  his  old  friends  in 
Minnesota  once  more.     * 

Death  came  to  his  relief  after  months  of  suflfering,  on  Feb. 
2,  1861.  The  news  was  received  with  sincere  regret  by  his 
friends  in  Minnesota,  and  the  press  paid  generous  and  warm 
tributes  to  his  worth  and  integrity.  Saint  Paul  Lodge  No.  2, 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Ancient  Landmark  Lodge  No.  5,  F.  A.  M.,  of 


MEMOIR   OF   HON.    DAVID    OLMSTED.  239 

which  he  was  a  valued  member,  passed  heartfelt  resolutions 
of  regret,  and  the  "  Old  Settlers  Association"  of  Minnesota  at 
their  next  annual  reunion,  placed  on  their  records  an  appro- 
priate eulogy.  On  the  map  of  our  State  his  name  is  well 
bestowed  on  one  of  our  most  flourishing  and  populous  counties. 
Perhaps  I  can  do  no  bettor,  to  show  the  estimation  in  which 
he  was  held,  than  to  quote  some  of  the  tributes  paid  to  his 
memory  by  those  who  knew  him  most  intimately.  One  of  his 
friends  thus  truthfully  sketched  his  character  in  a  communica- 
tion to  the  St.  Paul  Pioneer: 

*  •  David  Olmsted  had  a  mind  of  peculiar  order.  His  leading  char- 
acteristics were  firm  integrity,  honesty  of  purpose,  adhesion  to 
friends,  charity  for  opponents,  a  retentive  memory,  good  common 
sense,  and  sound  judgment.  He  was  brave,  but  never  rash ;  and  was 
as  modest  as  brave.  No  man  ever  saw  him  excited.  Grateful  for  fa- 
vors, he  would  rather  grant  than  receive  them.  Originally  a  Demo- 
crat, then  a  conservative  Republican,  firm  in  his  own  principles,  al- 
ways respecting  the  views  of  others,  he  was  never  a  partisan,  but 
always  a  patriot.  Often  absorbed  in  deep  thought,  even  to  absent- 
mindedness,  and  without  a  polished  address,  he  nevertheless  won  the 
hearts  of  all  by  his  kind,  straightforward  and  manly  conduct." 

A  clergyman  who  attended  him  in  his  last  illness,  writes : 
"  He  died  in  the  faith  of  Christ,  and  in  communion  with  his 
church.  He  died  in  peace."  Another  clergyman,  who  knew 
him  intimately,  writes :  "  A  loftier  disdain,  as  stern  and 
calm  as  it  was  lofty,  of  the  base  in  character,  I  have  seldom 
seen  in  any  man,  nor  a  warmer  appreciation  of  simple  honesty 
and  singleness  of  heart  in  others." 

Capt.  Sam.  Whiting,  (then  of  Winona)  paid  the  following 
touching  elegiac  tribute  to  his  friend : 

Vermont  I  thy  green  hills  shroud  in  gloom, 
Thy  noblest  son  has  met  his  doom ; 
Pass'd,  in  his  manhood's  pride  and  bloom. 

Away  from  earth ; 
Let  us,  'round  Olmsted's  early  tomb. 

Recall  his  worth. 

In  Minnesota's  earliest  year 
He  sought  her  hills,  a  pioneer. 
Full  of  ambition — void  of  fear 

And  wily  plan : 
One  such  as  high  and  low  revere— 

An  honest  man. 


240  MiKNEiSOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Well  may  thy  stroke,  0  Death,  appal, 
When  thus  earth's  best  and  worthiest  fall, 
Unterrified  he  heard  thy  call. 

And  sank  to  rest. 
His  spirit  soars  above  the  pall. 

Among  the  blest. 

Revered  and  loved  while  here  on  earth, 
Thou  man  of  pure  and  sterling  worth, — 
Though  lone  and  cold  thy  homestead  hearth, 

Though  from  us  torn. 
Our  loss  is  but  thy  blissful  birth 

To  endless  morn. 

Olmsted  !  thou'rt  sleeping  with  the  dead, 
Yet  o'er  thy  low  and  grassy  bed, 
The  sweetest  rose  shall  rear  its  head. 

To  deck  thy  tomb ; 
And  on  each  sighing  zephyr  shed 

Its  rich  perfume. 

Thy  burial  spot  is  hallowed  ground, 
And  oft  thy  friends  shall  gather  round. 
Their  joy  subdued — their  grief  profound. 

As  each  shall  tell, 
His  virtues,  who,  beneath  the  mound. 

Is  sleeping  well. 

Yes,  David  Olmsted  !  though  the  sighs 
Of  friends  bereaved  for  thee  may  rise. 
Thy  soul,  beyond  yon  radiant  skies. 

Has  reached  that  shore. 
Where  all  of  human  sorrow  dies 

For  evermore. 

Such  is  an  imperfect  sketch  of  one  whose  name  must  always 
be  honorably  associated  with  the  history  of  Minnesota.  Mr. 
Olmsted  was  a  self-made  man.  Starting  in  life  a  poor  boy, 
unaided  by  friends,  with  but  little  of  the  education  bestowed 
by  schools,  he  was  literally  "  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune." 
Settling  on  the  frontier,  among  a  rude  population,  in  a  region 
almost  a  wilderness,  with  nothing  but  energy  and  industry, 
guided  by  unswerving  principle  and  honor,  he  pushed  his  way 
to  reputation  and  friends,  to  position,  and — in  some  degree — 
to  wealth.     He  had    some  peculiar  traits  of  character  which 


MEMOIR   OF    HON.    DAVID    OLMSTED  241 

tended  to  gain  for  him  that  popularity  which  he  enjoyed  to  such 
an  enviable  degree.  He  was  emphatically  a  man  of  the  people. 
Without  seeming  to  court  the  good  will  of  others,  he  had  a 
quiet,  natural  suavity  of  manner  that  insensibly  attracted  men 
to  him,  and  made  even  the  humblest  citizen  in  his  presence 
feel  himself  a  friend.  There  was  something  winning  in  the 
kindly  tones  of  his  voice,  and  the  cordial  clasp  of  his  hand, 
and  one  felt  impressed  with  its  sincerity.  And  it  was  sincere. 
No  man  had  more  strongl3^  the  feeling  of  Fraternity  than 
David  Olmsted. 

These  traits,  added  to  his  exemplary  character,  his  ability, 
and  untarnished  honor,  made  him  beloved  by  his  friends  and 
respected  and  esteemed  by  all  brought  into  contact  with  him, 
as  perhaps  no  public  man  in  our  State  has  been,  before  or 
since.  Even  in  times  of  the  warmest  political  excitement, 
(and  the  rancor  of  territorial  politics  can  scarcely  be  appre- 
ciated by  our  recent  settlers,)  he  escaped  detraction  and 
slander.  Or  if  not  entirely,  twent}^  years  have  now  almost 
obliterated  the  animosities  and  differences  that  separated  men 
into  hostile  parties  in  those  days,  so  that  all  will  now  forget 
the  resentments  of  the  past  and  unite  with  me  in  laying  a 
wreath  upon  the  grave  of  one,  on  whose  monument  History, 
with  impartial  hand,  must  carve  the  tribute — "  a  good  and 
true  man." 

St.  Paul,  March,  1874. 


REMINISCENCES  OF  THE  EARLY  DAYS  OF 
MINNESOTA. 


BY    HON.    H.    H.    SIBLEY. 


In  reviewing  the  "  early  times  of  Minnesota,"  I  labor  under 
no  slight  embarrassment,  from  the  fact  that  I  have  been  a 
somewhat  prominent  actor  in  the  affairs  of  the  Territory  and 
State  since  their  organization  respectively,  so  that  it  is  simply 
impossible  for  me  to  avoid  thrusting  myself  forward  more 
frequently  than  good  taste  would  dictate.  I  shall  abstain 
from  more  than  a  passing  allusion  to  political  affairs,  for  the 
sufficient  reason,  that  I  could  not  relate  my  version  of  them 
without  affording  good  ground  of  offense  to  some  who  regard 
them  from  a  different  stand  point.  I  shall  omit  for  the  same 
reason,  the  details  of  the  horrible  Indian  outbreak  of  1862, 
which  culminated  in  the  slaughter  of  nearly  a  thousand  of  our 
citizens,  together  with  the  military  measures  for  its  suppres- 
sion under  my  immediate  command,  which  resulted  in  freeing 
our  State  from  the  presence  of  the  Sioux  or  Dakota  and  Win- 
nebago tribes  of  savages.  These  topics  will  be  treated  more 
fairly,  and  with  less  of  prejudice  and  passion  when  the  chief 
actors  shall  have  passed  away  and  the  events  judged  by  the 
light  of  impartial  history. 

Having  thus  voluntarily  circumscribed  my  field  of  narrative, 
it  has  occurred  to  me  that  a  portion  of  this  essay  may  with 
propriety  be  devoted  to  a  description  of  the  location  and  habits 
of  life  of  the  Dakota  bands  who  were  the  possessors  of  this 
country  in  1834  and  subsequent  thereto,  and  to  some  details 
of  my  hunting  adventures  in  company  with  them,  which,  I 
trust  will  not  prove  wholly  uninteresting.  You  will  perceive 
that  I  have  paid  little   or  no   attention   to  the  chronological 


REMINISCENCES    BY   HON.    H.    H.    SIBLET.  243 

order  of  incidents,  not  deeming  it  important  to  be  precise  in 
that  particular. 

The  region  embraced  within  the  limits  of  the  present  State 
of  Minnesota  was  first  explored  by  Indian  traders,  Jesuit 
Fathers  and  French  military  oflScers,  in  the  order  in  which 
they  are  placed.  The  enterprise,  love  of  adventure,  and  hope 
of  gain,  of  the  first  class,  and  the  pious  zeal  and  devotion 
of  priests  of  the  Catholic  church,  animated  them  respectively 
to  extend  their  researches  and  explorations  through  all  the 
principal  avenues  of  communication  in  the  Northwest,  long 
before  the  great  wave  of  immigration,  which  has  within  com 
paratively  a  brief  period  covered  the  land,  had  overtopped  the 
Alleghany  mountains. 

At  the  time  that  the  English  and  French  were  waging  bitter 
war  with  each  other  for  the  supremacy  on  the  frontiers  of  eastern 
Canada,  men  of  both  nations  were  wending  their  way,  through 
perils  of  every  conceivable  description,  up  the  great  lakes  and 
rivers  which  opened  to  them  a  passage  to  the  boundless  woods 
and  prairies  of  the  great  West.  We  are  apt  to  pride  ourselves 
that  the  stock  to  which  we  belong  produces  keener  and  more 
daring  explorers  than  can  be  found  elsewhere,  but  to  those  who 
have  made  themselves  familiar  with  the  adventures  of  the  men 
of  another  race,  who,  in  the  17th  and  the  early  part  of  the 
18th  centuries,  voluntarily  encountered  the  dangers  incident 
to  voyages  of  thousands  of  miles  through  unknown  inland  seas 
and  water  courses,  bordered  by  tribes  of  cruel  and  blood-thirsty 
savages,  the  boast  will  not  pass  current  as  a  fixed  and  indis- 
putable fact. 

In  what  particular  year  the  two  first  white  men  of  whom  we 

have  any  account  crossed  from  the  head  of  Lake  Superior  to 

the  waters  of  the  Upper  Mississippi,  cannot  be  stated  with 

precision,  but  it  was  probably  in  1659,  more  than  two  hundred 

years  ago.     They  were  Frenchmen.     Other  travelers  succeeded 

them,  at  longer  or  shorter  intervals,  until,  at  length,  the  trade 

with  Indians  was  established  throughout  the  Northwest,  and 

the  banner  of  the  Prince  of  Peace  was  unfurled  among  the  wild 

beings  who  hitherto  had  gloried  alone  in  their  prowess  in  war, 

and  in  the  chase. 
32 


244  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

THE  PIONEERS  OF  MINNESOTA. 

It  is  not  my  intention  to  recapitulate  what  has  been  written 
of  the  adventures  of  the  discoverers  of  this  region,  or  of  their 
immediate  followers.  The  annals  of  the  Historical  Society 
of  this  State  contain  what  could  be  gathered  of  their  history. 
I  shall  confine  myself  chiefly  to  events  which  have  occurred 
since  my  advent  to  this  country,  thirty-nine  (39)  years  ago. 
Most  of  those  who  were  prominent  at  that  time,  and  even  subse- 
quently, have  disappeared  from  this  earth.  And  here  allow 
me  to  say,  that  the  pioneers  of  Minnesota  as  a  class,  were  far 
superior  in  morality,  education  and  intelligence  to  the  pioneers 
of  most  of  the  other  Territories,  and  they  have  left  a  favorable 
impress  upon  the  character  of  the  State.  They  were  by  no 
means  free  from  the  vices  and  frailties  of  poor  humanity,  but  on 
the  other  hand,  they  were,  for  the  most  part,  distinguished  for 
charity  to  the  poor  and  friendless,  hospitable  even  to  a  fault, 
and  enthusiastically  devoted  to  the  interests  and  the  prosperity 
of  our  beautiful  Minnesota.  Although,  generally  speaking, 
men  of  limited  school  education,  there  were  exceptions  to  this 
rule,  individuals  being  found  among  them  of  respectable  literary 
attainments.  And  they  were  for  the  most  part  religiously 
inclined.  Men  who  like  Cooper's  Leatherstocking  are  brought 
face  to  face  with  Nature  in  her  deepest  solitudes,  are  led  natu- 
rally to  the  worship  of  that  Great  Being  whose  hand  alone 
could  have  created  the  vast  expanse  of  wood  and  prairie, 
mountain,  lake  and  river  which  spread  themselves  daily  in 
endless  extent  and  variety  before  their  eyes.  They  were  not 
particularly  given  to  respect  law,  especially  when  it  favored 
speculators  at  the  expense  of  the  settler.  At  the  land  sales  at 
the  Falls  of  the  St.  Croix,  in  1848,  when  the  site  of  the  present 
city  of  St.  Paul  and  the  tracts  adjacent  thereto  on  the  east  side 
of  the  Mississippi  were  exposed  to  public  sale,  I  was  selected 
by  the  actual  settlers  to  bid  off  portions  of  the  land  for  them,  and 
when  the  hour  for^business  had  arrived,  my  seat  was  invariably 
surrounded  by  a  number  of  men  with  huge  bludgeons  What 
was  meant  by  the  proceeding  I  could  of  course  only  surmise, 
but  I  would  not  have  envied  the  fate  of  the  individual  who 
would  have  ventured  to  bid  against  me. 


REMINISCENCES    BY    HON.    H.    H.    SIBLEY.  245 

ARRIVAL  IN  MINNESOTA. 

1  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  Minnesota  River  on  the  7th  of 
November,  1834.  The  trip  from  Prairie  du  Chien  was  per- 
formed on  horseback  in  company  with  Alexis  Bailly  since 
deceased,  and  two  hired  Canadians.  There  was  but  one  house 
between  the  two  points  named,  a  distance  of  nearly  300  miles. 
The  building  was  a  log  hut  about  three  miles  below  Lake  Pepin, 
which  long  since  fell  in  ruins.  The  occupant  was  a  respect- 
able Indian  trader  named  Rocque. 

Our  journey  was  without  incident  worthy  of  note,  except 
that  we  were  nearly  drowned  a  few  miles  above  Prairie  du 
Chien,  in  crossing  the  Mississippi  river  in  a  wooden  canoe, 
which  was  capsized  by  the  antics  of  a  wild  horse  belonging  to 
one  of  the  part}-,  swimming  by  the  side  of  the  clumsy  and 
over  laden  transport.  A  Winnebago  Indian  engaged  to  guide 
us,  as  there  were  no  roads  on  the  west  of  the  river  in  those 
days,  but  he  abandoned  us  in  the  night  after  leading  the  party 
more  than  fifty  miles  too  far  westward,  leaving  us  to  find  our 
way  as  best  we  could.  When  I  first  caught  a  glimpse  of  Fort 
Snelling,  and  descended  the  hills  to  Mendota,  then  called  St. 
Peters,  I  little  anticipated  that  the  hamlet  was  to  be  my  abiding 
place  for  28  years. ^  There  were  a  few  log  houses  at  St.  Peters, 
occupied  by  persons  employed  in  the  fur  trade,  and  the  post 
itself  was  the  depot  of  the  fur  trade  for  a  vast  region. 

the  fur  trade. 

The  district  over  which  I  had  the  control,  as  a  partner  with 
the  American  Fur  Company  of  New  York,  extended  from  Lake 
Pepin  to  the  Little  Falls  on  the  Mississippi  and  north  and  west 
to  Pembina,  all  of  the  Minnesota  valley  and  to  the  heads  of 
the  streams  which  are  tributary  to  the  Missouri  river.  There 
was  a  large  number  of  trading  stations  within  these  extensive 
limits,  which  required  the  employment  of  many  traders,  clerks, 
and  voyageurs.  The  latter  were  composed  entirely  of  French 
Canadians,  who  were  regularly  engaged  or  enlisted,  for  three 
years,  in  Montreal,  at  a  stated  price  per  annum,  in  livres,  the 
old  French  currency. 

1  Qbn.  Siblbt  became  a  resident  of  St.  Paul  in  1862. 


246  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

There  being  no  law,  discipline  had  to  be  enforced  among 
these  men  with  the  strong  hand,  although,  as  a  general  rule, 
they  were  obedient  and  trust-worthy.  Until  the  voyageurs 
had  completed  their  first  term  of  three  years,  they  were  called 
Mangeurs  du  lard  or  pork  eaters,  a  term  equivalent  to  green- 
horns, and  they  had  to  pass  through  a  severe  probation,  for 
they  were  made  the  subjects  of  innumerable  practical  jokes  by 
the  hivernants  or  winterers, who,  having  served  their  apprentice  ■ 
ship  assumed  to  rank  very  much  higher  than  the  pork  eaters. 

The  rations  issued  to  the  common  men  at  that  early  period, 
consisted  of  two  ounces  of  beef  or  buffalo  tallow,  and  a  quart 
of  hulled  corn  per  day,  with  two  or  three  loads  of  ammunition, 
which  was  entrusted  to  the  most  successful  hunter  among  them, 
to  be  expended  in  securing  game  for  their  joint  benefit. 

The  labors  of  these  voyageurs,  especially  during  the  winter 
season,  were  excessively  severe,  as  they  were  compelled  to 
carry  packages  of  fifty  or  a  hundred  pounds  weight,  frequently 
for  days  together,  in  visiting  distant  Indian  camps,  and  to 
return  laden  with  buffalo  robes  and  the  skins  of  other  animals. 
Sometimes  it  occurred  that  they  were  overtaken  by  the  snow, 
and  were  fain  to  take  shelter  under  a  drift,  there  to  remain 
until  the  storm  subsided.  And  yet  under  all  such  circumstan- 
ces of  toil  and  exposure,  these  men  were  ordinarily  cheerful 
and  unmurmuring,  and  withal,  faithful  to  their  trust. 

The  detachments  of  the  voyageurs  or  engages  came  from 
Montreal  in  bark  canoes,  by  way  of  the  lakes  to  La  Pointe  on 
Lake  Superior,  and  up  the  Brule  River,  from  which  the  canoes 
and  baggage  were  carried  across  to  the  waters  of  the  St.  Croix, 
and  thence  the  canoes  descended  to  the  Mississippi.  They 
were  placed  in  charge  of  clerks,  who  also  were  hired  for  three 
3'ears.  There  were  some  posts  on  the  Minnesota  River,  the 
traders  in  charge  at  which  had  a  reputation  for  sternness  and 
severity  towards  their  men,  which  had  extended  even  as  far  as 
Lake  Superior,  so  that  the  voyageurs  on  their  way  to  this  region 
were  always  cautioned  by  their  countrymen  employed  at  La 
Pointe  to  avoid,  if  possible,  being  placed  under  their  control. 
This  fact  was  also  so  well  known  at  Mendota,  that,  on  the 
arrival  of  the  detachment,  the  clerk  in  charge  would  be  directed 
to  point  out  the  most  intractable  and  disobedient  of  the  men, 


p 


REMINISCENCES    BY    HON.    H.    H.    SIBLEY.  247 

and  these  were  forthwith  dispatched  to  the  dreaded  points, 
there  to  undergo  a  course  of  discipline  for  their  bad  conduct, 
that  was  the  reverse  of  pleasant.  It  happened  occasionally 
that  they  attempted  to  desert,  but  they  were  invariably  over- 
taken by  some  of  the  traders  or  clerks,  or  by  the  Indians,  and 
conducted  back  to  the  post,  where  they  were  made  to  do  addi- 
tional penance  for  the  trouble  they  had  given  in  their  appre- 
hension. 

A  few  of  the  more  important  trading  posts  were  enclosed  by 
a  high  picket  fence  of  the  nature  of  a  stockade,  which  was 
loop-holed  for  musketry.  Of  such  were  the  stations  at  Lake 
Travers,  and  at  Lac  qui  Parle.  As  a  general  rule,  the  Indians 
were  respectful  and  friendly,  but  sometimes,  when  a  hunter 
had  failed  to  pay  for  the  goods  given  him  on  credit  the  previ- 
ous year,  and  had  made  a  dishonest  disposition  of  the  proceeds 
of  his  hunt,  he  would  be  refused  further  advances,  which  was 
a  serious  matter  for  him,  and  not  only  gave  offense  to  the 
individual  himself,  but  to  his  relatives.  The  ill-feeling  thus 
engendered  would  occasionally  find  vent  in  actual  violence,  as 
was  the  case  when  my  old  and  lamented  friend  Joseph  R. 
Brown  was  shot  in  the  shoulder  and  severely  wounded  by  a 
Sisseton  Dakota  Indian  at  Lake  Travers. 

The  greatest  punishment  which  could  be  inflicted  upon  a 
band  of  Indians  for  evil  deportment  of  any  kind,  was  the  stop- 
page of  their  credits  of  ammunition  and  clothing,  as  they  were 
more  or  less  dependent  upon  these  supplies,  for  the  subsistence 
of  themselves  and  their  families.  This  was  less  the  case  with 
the  upper  bands,  who  lived  principally  upon  the  buffalo,  for 
they  could  furnish  themselves  with  food  as  well  as  necessary 
clothing,  by  means  of  their  bows  and  arrows,  which  the  lower 
bands  could  not  do. 

THE    EARLY   TRADERS. 

When  I  made  my  first  visit  of  inspection  to  the  ''principal 
posts  in  1835,  Joseph  R.  Brown  was  in  charge  at  Lac  Travers 
near  the  head  of  the  Minnesota  river,  Joseph  Renville,  at  Lac 
qui  Parle,  Louis  Provencalle,  at  Traverse  des  Sioux,  and 
Jean  B.  Faribault  at  Little  Rapids.  Joseph  Laframboise 
was  stationed  on  the  Coteau  de  Prairie  at  the  Lake  of  the  Two 


248  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

Woods,  and  Alexander  Faribault  on  the  Cannon  river. 
There  were  other  prominent  traders  among  whom  may  be  named 
Alexis  Bailly,  N.  W.  Kittson,  James  Wells,  Hazen  Mooers, 
Philander  Prescott  and  Francois  Labaihe.  Martin  McLeod, 
Franklin  Steele  and  Wm.  H.  Forbes  came  into  the  country 
in  1837,  and  H.  M.  Rice  in  1839  or  1840.  The  latter  was  at 
the  head  of  an  extensive  trade  with  the  Winnebagoes  and 
Chippewas.  Of  the  traders  among  the  last  mentioned  tribe, 
with  whom  I  was  personally  acquainted,  were  Wm.  Aitkin, 
Allan  Morrison,  Clement  Beaulieu  and  Donald  McDonald. 
Messrs.  Borup  and  Oakes  removed  to  St.  Paul  in  1849,  from 
Lake  Superior,  where  they  had  been  for  many  years  at  the  head 
of  the  trade  with  the  Chippewas  of  that  region.  This  long 
list  has  been  sadly  curtailed  by  the  great  reaper,  for  there  sur- 
vive, of  all  these  individuals,  only  Alex.  Faribault,  N.  W. 
Kittson,  Franklin  Steele,  Wm.  H.  Forbes,  H.  M.  Rice, 
Clement  Beaulieu,  D.  McDonald  and  Chas.  H.  Oakes.  La- 
bathe  and  Prescott  were  killed  by  the  Indians  on  the  first  day 
of  the  outbreak  in  1862,  and  James  Wells  met  a  similar  fate 
in  the  following  year,  while  hunting  on  the  Coteau  de  Prairie. 

Joseph  Laframboise  who  died  several  years  since,  was  a 
capital  mimic,  spoke  with  fluency  four  or  five  different  lan- 
guages and  he  wa^  withal  an  inveterate  practical  joker.  He 
and  Alex.  Faribault  were  wont  to  amuse  themselves  at  the 
expense  of  Labathe,  who  was  simple-minded,  honest  sort  of  a 
man,  and  by  no  means  a  match  for  his  tormentors. 

A  standing  jest  at  his  cost,  was  his  experience  at  a  tea  party 
at  Fort  Snelling.  The  trio  mentioned  was  invited  by  Capt.  G. 
of  the  army  to  take  tea  and  spend  the  evening  at  his  quarters, 
and  the  invitation  was  accepted.  It  was  in  the  month  of  July, 
and  the  weather  intensely  warm.  The  party  in  due  time  were 
seated  around  the  table,  and  the  cups  and  saucers  were  of  the 
generous  proportions  ignored  in  these  modern  and  more  fash- 
ionable days.  It  should  be  premised  that  Indian  etiquette 
demands  on  all  festive  occasions,  that  the  visitor  shall  leave 
nothing  unconsumed  of  the  meat  or  drink  placed  before  him. 
The  large  cup  filled  with  tea  was  handed  to  Labathe  and  the 
contents  disposed  of.  The  poor  fellow  at  that  time  could 
speak  nothing  more  of  English  than  the  imperfect  sentence 


I 


REMINISCENCES    BY   HON.    H.    H.    SIBLEY.  249 

"Tank  you."  When  his  cup  was  empty,  Mrs.  G.,  who  was  at 
the  head  of  the  table,  said  in  her  suave  and  gentle  manner, 
'*  Mr.  Labathe,  please  take  some  more  tea."  Labathe  re- 
sponded, "  Tank  you,  madam,"  which  being  interpreted  by  the 
waiter  to  mean  an  assent,  he  took  the  cup  and  handed  it  to  the 
hostess,  and  Mr.  Labathe  was  forthwith  freshly  supplied  with 
the  hot  liquid.  Labathe  managed  to  swallow  it,  sweltering 
meanwhile  with  the  fervent  heat  of  the  evening,  and  again  he 
was  requested  to  permit  his  cup  to  be  replenished.  ''  Tank 
you,  madam,"  was  the  only  reply  the  victim  could  give.  Seven 
great  vessels  full  of  the  boiling  tea  were  thus  successively 
poured  down  his  throat,  Laframboise  and  Faribault  meantime 
almost  choking  with  suppressed  laughter.  For  the  eighth  time 
the  waiter  approached  to  seize  the  cup,  when  the  aboriginal 
politeness  which  had  enabled  Labathe  to  bear  up  amid  his 
sufferings  gave  way  entirely,  and  rising  from  his  seat  to  the 
amazement  of  the  company,  he  exclaimed  frantically,  "  La- 
framboise,  pour  Vamoir  de  bon  Dieu,  pour  quoi  ne  dites  vous 
pas  a  madame,  qui  je  ne'rt  veut  point  davantage.'*  ("  Lafram- 
boise, for  the  love  of  God,  why  do  you  not  tell  madame  that  I 
do  not  wish  for  any  more  tea  ?  "  )  Labathe  never  heard  the 
last  of  that  scene  while  he  lived. 

The  old  man  Rocque,  mentioned  as  residing  near  Lake 
Pepin,  afforded  another  instance  of  the  inconvenience  of  not 
being  able  to  speak  English.  He  knew  one  compound  word 
only,  and  that  was  roast  beef,  which  he  called  "Ros-bif."  He 
accompanied  a  Dakota  delegation  to  Washington  City  on  one 
occasion,  and  when  asked  at  the  public  houses  what  he  would 
be  helped  to,  he  could  only  say  Ros-hif!  So  that  the  unhappy 
old  gentleman,  although  longing  for  a  chance  at  the  many 
good  things  he  would  have  preferred,  performed  the  round  trip 
on  ''  Ros-bif." 

Having  referred  to  Indian  etiquette,  I  may  as  well  narrate 
what  was  told  of  the  performances  of  the  Winnebagoes,  of  all 
Indians  the  most  impudent.  Twenty  or  thirty  of  them  on  their 
way  to  Washington  before  the  era  of  railways,  under  the 'direc- 
tion of  their  agent  and  interpreter,  discovered,  or  suspected  a 
conspiracy  between  the  landlords  along  the  route  and  the  stage 
drivers,  by  which  their  rations  were  materially  curtailed,  inas_ 


250  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

much,  as  before  thejr  had  half  finished  their  meals,  the  horn 
would  be  blown  as  a  signal  for  their  immediate  departure. 
Becoming  disgusted  at  such  proceedings,  after  two  or  three 
untimely  interruptions  of  that  sort,  they  made  it  a  rule,  when 
they  were  repeated,  to  empty  all  the  dishes  on  the  table  into 
their  dirty  blankets,  then  resume  their  seats  in  the  stages  and 
discuss  matters  at  their  leisure.  Fish,  flesh,  vegetables,  sugar 
and  everything  else  they  could  lay  hands  on,  shared  a  common 
fate,  in  spite  of  the  remonstrances  of  the  angry  Bonifaces,  the 
Indians  coolly  claiming  that  what  had  been  placed  before  them 
had  been  paid  for,  and  therefore  belonged  to  them . 

THE    DAKOTAS    AND    THEIR   PRINCIPAL    CHIEFS. 

The  division  of  the  Dakotas  or  Sioux,  known  as  the  M*day- 
wakantons  or  People  of  the  Lakes,  consisted  in  1834  of  seven 
distinct  bands,  whose  summer  residence  was  in  villages,  the 
lodges  being  built  of  elm  bark  laid  upon  a  frame  work  of  poles. 
These  villages  were  situated  at  Wabasha  prairie  near  the  spot 
where  the  flpurishing  city  of  Winona  now  stands,  at  Red  Wing 
and  Kaposia  on  the  Mississippi,  three  of  the  bands  on  the  lower 
Minnesota  river  below  Shakopee,  and  the  Lake  Calhoun  band 
on  the  lake  of  that  name.  These  bands  could  bring  into  the 
field  about  600  grown  warriors.  The  Wakpakootas  or  People 
of  the  Shot  Leaf  were  in  villages  on  the  Cannon  river,  or  rather 
on  a  lake  through  which  it  runs,  a  short  distance  from  the 
present  town  of  Faribault,  and  at  a  few  other  points.  They 
numbered  about  150  warriors.  The  lower  Wakpatons  or  People 
of  the  Leaf,  were  located  at  the  Little  Rapids,  Sand  Prairie 
apd  on  the  banks  of  the  Minnesota  not  far  from  Belle  Plaine. 
The  lower  Sissetons  occupied  the  region  around  Traverse  des 
Sioux,  Swan  Lake  and  the  Cottonwood  extending  to  the  Coteau 
de  Prairie.  The  Upper  Wak-paton  villages  were  on  the  shores 
of  Lac  qui  Parle,  and  those  of  the  Upper  Sisseton  on  Big  Stone 
Lake  and  Lac  Travers.  All  of  these  bands  except  the  Upper 
Sissetons,  were  implicated  in  the  massacres  of  1862,  and  strange 
as  it  may  appear,  the  very  bands  that  opposed  the  movement, 
and  denounced  it  from  the  beginning,  and  afterwards  proved 
their  sincerity  by  engaging  as  U.  S.  scouts  for  the  defence  of 
the  frontier  against  the  raids  of  their  hostile  kindred,  have 


p 


REMINISCENCES    By   HON.    H.    H.    SIBLEY.  251 

been  treated  with  greater  inhumanity  and  neglect  by  the  gov- 
ernment, than  fell  to  the  lot  of  the  guilty.  After  long  and 
persistent  efforts  in  their  behalf  by  citizens  cognizant  of  the 
facts,  the  authorities  in  Washington  have  at  length  made  a 
scanty  provision  for  them. 

The  bands  which  have  been  enumerated,  were  all  known  and 
are  still  called  by  the  Missouri  River  Dakotas,  Isantis.  They 
all  raised  corn  to  a  considerable  extent,  and  when  the  war  of 
18G2  commenced,  many  of  tbem  owned  large,  well-fenced,  well- 
cultivated  fields,  and  comfortable  houses.  The  authority  of 
the  chiefs  in  the  olden  time  was  very  great,  but  from  the  date 
of  the  first  treaties  negotiated  with  the  government  it  began  to 
decline,  until  finally  the  chief  was  merely  considered  to  be  the 
mouthpiece  of  the  soldiers'  lodge,  the  members  of  which  con- 
stituted the  only  real  power  in  the  bands. 

Old  Wabasha,  long  since  dead,  was  the  leading  hereditary 
chief  of  the  People  of  the  Lakes,  and  in  all  inter-tribal  affairs 
of  importance  his  word  was  law,  not  only  with  his  own  par- 
ticular band,  but  with  all  those  belonging  to  the  same  division. 

Little  Crow,  Senior,  chief  of  the  band  at  Kaposia,  was  also 
highly  respected  among  his  people.  He  was  very  anxious  that 
they  should  be  taught  to  rely  for  subsistence  upon  the  products 
of  the  soil,  rather  than  upon  the  precarious  fruits  of  the  chase, 
and  he  set  them  a  good  example  by  working  industriously  in 
his  own  field.  He  was  accidentally  wounded  in  drawing  his 
loaded  gun  from  a  wagon  at  his  village,  and  he  caused  me  to 
be  notified  a  few  hours  afterwards.  I  forthwith  applied  to  Dr. 
Turner,  post  physician  at  Fort  Snelling,  to  accompany  me  to 
see  the  wounded  chief,  and  he  consented.  Alex.  Faribault 
went  with  us  as  interpreter.  Upon  arriving  at  the  village,  we 
found  Little  Crow  recumbent  in  his  lodge,  and  the  doctor 
having  examined  the  wound,  pronounced  it  not  only  a  danger- 
ous but  probably  a  fatal  one.  When  the  opinion  was  announced 
to  the  old  chief,  he  smiled  and  said  the  doctor  was  right,  for 
he  would  be  a  dead  man  before  the  close  of  the  following  daj^ 
He  then  directed  the  lodge  to  be  cleared  of  all  but  ourselves, 
and  sent  for  his  son  ^'  To-wai-o-ta-doo-tah,"  the  Little  Crow 
who  led  the  savages  in  the  murderous  outbreak  of  1862.  When 
he  entered,  the  father  told  him  to  seat  himself,  and  listen  atten- 
33 


252  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

tively  to  his  words.  Addressing  him,  he  told  his  son  frankl}^ 
that  it  had  not  been  his  intention  to  make  him  chief ;  that, 
although  he  was  his  eldest  born,  he  had  very  little  good  sense, 
and  moreover  was  addicted  to  drinking  and  other  vicious  hab- 
its ;  "  but,"  said  he,  "  my  second  son,  on  whom  I  intended  to 
bestow  the  chieftainship  at  my  death,  has  been  killed  in  battle 
with  the  Chippewas,  and  I  can  now  do  no  better  than  to  name 
you  as  my  successor."  He  proceeded  to  give  him  counsel  as 
to  his  future  course  in  the  responsible  position  he  was  about  to 
assume  as  the  leader  of  the  band,  which  would  have  reflected 
no  discredit  upon  a  civilized  man  similarly  situated,  except 
that  he  did  not  suggest  a  change  of  religious  faith  to  that  of 
the  whites.  On  that  topic  he  remained  silent.  After  referring 
to  the  differences  existing  between  the  two  races,  he  told  his 
son  that  the  Dakotas  must  accommodate  themselves  to  the 
new  state  of  things,  which  was  coming  upon  them.  The  whites 
wanted  their  land  and  it  was  useless  to  contend  against  their 
superior  forces.  The  Dakotas  could  only  hope  to  be  saved 
from  the  fate  of  other  tribes,  by  making  themselves  useful  to 
the  whites,  by  honest  labor,  and  frank  and  friendly  dealing  in 
their  intercourse  with  them.  ''Teach  your  people  to  be  honest 
and  laborious,"  continued  he,  "and  adopt  such  of  the  habits  of 
the  whites  as  will  be  suited  to  their  change  of  circumstances, 
and  above  all,  be  industrious  and  sober  and  make  yourself 
beloved  and  respected  by  the  white  people.  Now  my  son,  I 
have  finished  all  I  had  to  say  to  you.  Depart  to  your  own 
lodge,  remembering  my  final  admonitions,  for  to-morrow  I 
shall  die."  The  entire  address  was  so  solemn  and  impressive 
that  we  all  listened  with  the  deepest  interest.  The  old  chief 
then  told  us  he  hoped  we  would  befriend  his  son  and  his  band, 
and  when  we  rose  to  depart,  he  shook  us  by  the  hand,  expres- 
sed his  gratitude  for  our  visit  and  bade  us  farewell.  He  died 
the  next  day. 

The  old  chief  evinced,  on  one  occasion,  some  of  the  chivalry 
of  the  olden  time,  although  in  a  manner  somewhat  revolting 
to  the  tastes  of  civilized  men.  Two  of  his  favorite  sons 
joined  a  war-party,  which  proceeded  up  the  St.  Croix  River  in 
search  of  Chippewas,  and  in  a  skirmish  near  the  Falls,  both  of 


REMINISCENCES    BY    HON.    H.    H.    SIBLEY.  253 

them  were  killed,  but  the  bodies  remained  un-rautilated,  the 
Chippewas  having  been  driven  off  with  the  loss  of  one  man 
killed  and  another  wounded.  The  father  of  the  young  men, 
who  had  remained  in  the  village,  was  speedily  notified  of  the 
occurrence,  whereupon  he  gathered  all  the  wampum  and  silver 
work  belonging  to  the  members  of  his  family,  and  taking  his 
double-barrel  gun,  which  he  highly  valued,  he  made  a  forced 
march,  with  others  of  his  band,  to  the  spot  where  the  action 
took  place.  The  bodies  remained  where  they  had  fallen. 
Under  his  direction,  the  blood  was  washed  from  the  features 
and  replaced  by  war  paint,  new  clothing  put  upon  the  bodies, 
the  hair  was  combed,  plaited  and  strung  with  small  silver 
brooches,  silver  bands  enclosed  their  arms  and  wrists,  and  a 
large  quantity  of  expensive  wampum  was  hung  about  the  necks. 
When  these  details  had  been  attended  to,  the  corpses  were 
arranged  in  a  sitting  posture  secured  to  the  trunks  of  trees, 
and  the  old  chief  deposited  his  double-barrel  gun  by  their 
side,  took  a  parting  look  at  his  dead  children,  shook  them  by 
the  hand  and  returned  to  his  village.  Some  of  the  Chippewas 
in  two  or  three  days  afterwards,  came  back  and  appropriated 
the  scalps  and  the  valuables,  and  left  the  bodies  uncared  for. 
Having  heard  of  these  singular  proceedings  of  the  old  chief  1 
asked  an  explanation  of  Little  Crow  when  next  1  saw  him 
and  he  did  not  hesitate  to  give  it.  He  said  he  had  opposed 
the  formation  of  the  war  party,  but  the  young  men  were  so 
bent  upon  avenging  the  death  of  some  of  their  friends,  who 
had  been  killed  by  the  Chippewas,  that  he  finally  withdrew  his 
objection.  ''  My  two  sons,"  continued  he,  "joined  the  part}', 
and  were  killed.  While  I  grieve  deeply  at  their  loss,  they  fell 
like  brave  men  in  battle,  and  the  enemy  was  entitled  to  theii 
scalps.  I  wished  the  Chippewas  to  know  by  the  treasures 
lavished  upon  the  bodies,  that  they  had  slain  the  sons  of  a 
chief."  Some  weeks  subsequently,  he  returned  in  person,  col- 
lected the  bones,  and  had  them  properly  interred  near  the 
village. 

Little  Crow,  Junior,  soon  forgot  the  parting  injunctions  of 
his  father.  He  was  a  drunkard,  a  confirmed  liar,  and  was  pos- 
sessed of  very  few  redeeming  qualities.  Yet  he  was  a  man  of 
great  energy  and  determination.     He  was  the  leading  spirit 


25  i  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    OOLLECTIOKS. 

of  the  pagan  Indians,  bitterly  opposing  all  changes  of  dress 
and  habits  of  life.  He  was  no  friend  to  missionary  operations, 
but  clung  to  the  superstitious  observances  of  his  fathers.  The 
latter  part  of  his  life  is  known  to  most  of  you.  He  encouraged 
the  Indians  in  the  prosecution  of  their  bloody  work  in  1862,  was 
the  acknowledged  head  of  the  war  party,  and  finally,  in  1863, 
while  engaged  with  a  small  band  in  a  raid  upon  our  frontiers, 
he  was  shot  dead  by  a  Mr.  Lamson,  his  son  who  was  with  him 
only  escaping  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  a  detachment  of  the 
troops  under  my  command  near  Devil's  Lake,  a  few  weeks 
later.  It  is  my  conviction  that  no  outbreak  would  have  hap- 
pened, had  either  Wabasha  or  Little  Crow,  Senior,  been 
living  at  the  time. 

HUNTING    INCIDENTS    OF    EARLY   DAYS. 

In  the  autumn  of  1840,  the  men  of  the  nearest  Dakota  vil- 
lages were  desirous  of  going  to  hunt  far  to  the  southward,  in 
a  district  of  country  40  miles  wide  and  more  than  150  miles 
long,  extending  nearly  to  the  Mississippi  and  southwest  to  the 
Des  Moines  River,  This  was  called  the  Neutral  Ground,  from 
the  fact  that  it  had  been  purchased  by  the  government  from 
the  tribes  of  Dakotas  and  Sacs  and  Foxes  for  the  purpose  of 
arresting  hostilities  between  them  by  interposing  a  district 
which  it  was  understood  was  not  to  be  ordinarily  occupied  by 
the  contending  parties.  The  Dakotas  were,  however,  unwilling 
to  visit  that  dangerous  region  unless  accompanied  by  a  few 
white  men,  whose  presence  in  their  camp  might  be  some  pro- 
tection against  an  attack  by  the  Sacs  and  Foxes. 

I  agreed  to  accompany  them,  with  Alex.  Faribault,  Wm.  H. 
Forbes,  and  a  couple  of  the  Canadian  voyageurs  in  my  employ. 
A  camp  was  soon  formed  of  about  70  lodges,  or  rather  more 
than  100  men  with  their  families.  We  provided  ourselves  with 
a  large  buffalo  skin  lodge  for  our  own  use,  which  was  new  and 
as  white  as  snow.  Gen.  John  C.  Fremont,  then  a  simple  Lieu- 
tenant in  the  U.  S.  Topographical  Engineers,  was  a  visitor  at  my 
house  in  Mendota  about  that  time,  he  having  lately  come  across 
from  Fort  Pierre,  on  the  Missouri,  with  I.  N.  Nicollet,  so  well 
known  as  one  of  the  leading  scientific  explorers  of  this  region. 


REMINISCENCES    BY   HON.    H.    H.    SIBLEY.  255 

Fremont  desired  to  be  of  our  party,  and  it  was  arranged  that 
Nicollet  should  continue  his  course  down  the  Mississippi, 
while  Fremont,  afti  r  having  remained  in  our  company  as  long 
as  he  felt  inclined  to  do  so,  should  be  safely  conducted  to 
Prairie  du  Chien.  Jack  Frazer,  of  whom  some  of  our  citizens 
have  read,  a  mixed  blood  Dakota,  was  to  be  of  our  party  also. 
The  two  Canadians  drove  horse  carts  laden  with  articles 
requisite  to  make  us  comfortable.  Thus  provided,  and  all  of 
us  well  armed,  we  set  out  on  our  journey. 

The  view  presented  by  so  large  a  party  of  Indians  on  the 
march  was  rather  imposing.  Each  of  the  families  was  posses- 
sed of  one  or  more  ponies,  and  these  animals  were  attached  to 
poles,  one  end  of  which  was  fixed  on  each  side  of  the  Indian 
saddle,  like  the  shafts  of  an  ordinary  vehicle,  while  the  other 
ends  trailed  upon  the  ground  ;  there  being  a  sort  of  basket 
made  of  interlaced  leather  thongs  attached  to  the  poles,  upon 
which  were  placed  the  skin  lodge,  and  others  of  the  heavier 
articles,  with  a  young  child  or  two  on  the  top  of  the  load.  The 
horses  were  led  by  the  women,  the  elderly  men  taking  ihe  lead, 
while  the  other  members  of  the  families  old  enough  to  walk,  as- 
sumed their  appropriate  places  in  the  procession.  One  family 
followed  another  in  single  files  so  that  the  line  was  extended  to 
a  great  length.  When  they  arrived  at  the  banks  at  a  stream 
required  to  be  crossed,  the  women  were  expected  to  carry  over 
the  baggage  on  their  shoulders.  These  streams  are  generally 
rapid  but  seldom  more  than  waist  deep,  except  in  seasons  of 
high  water.  It  was  a  favorite  amusement  for  certain  "lewd 
fellows  of  the  baser  scrt"  who  indeed  comprised  most  of  the 
young  men,  to  station  themselves  along  the  banks  when  a 
crossing  was  in  progress,  and  make  impertinent  allusions  to 
the  ancles  of  the  softer  sex,  which  were  somewhat  exposed, 
the  current  acting  upon  their  garments  in  the  same  manner  as 
a  strong  wind  upon  the  crinoline  of  our  fashionable  ladies. 
The  mothers  and  other  female  relatives  of  the  young  girls, 
excessively  enraged  at  such  freedom  of  observation,  made  it  a 
point  to  drive  off  the  intruders,  by  a  heavy  discharge  o'f  sticks 
and  stones.  The  camping  spot  was  designated  by  the  soldiers, 
and  upon  the  arrival  at  the  ground  of  the  families,  the  ponies 
were  unloaded  and  turned  out  to  graze,  poles  cut,  and  the 


256  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

lodges  raised  in  an  incredibly  short  time  by  the  women,  the 
men  meantime,  or  such  of  them  as  were  not  engaged  in  hunt- 
ing, quietly  smoking  their  pipes.  The  man's  business  is  to 
furnish  ihe  tenants  of  the  lodge  with  food  and  clothing,  and 
the  females  must  do  all  the  rest.  In  fact,  a  woman  would  feel 
ashamed  to  see  her  husband  performing  any  of  the  labor  or 
drudgery  about  a  camp.^ 

A  few  days  after  our  departure  Fremont,  Faribault,  Frazer 
and  myself  left  Forbes  and  the  Canadians  to  continue  the 
march  with  the  Indians,  and  struck  off  to  the  west  of  the  route, 
hoping  to  fall  in  with  buffalo.  We  were  on  horseback,  and 
having  reason  to  believe  that  game  would  be  found  in  abun- 
dance, we  took  nothing  in  the  shape  of  provisions  with  us, 
except  a  few  pounds  of  wild  rice.  We  promised  to  rejoin  the 
main  body  in  ten  or  twelve  days.  I  shall  not  dwell  upon  the 
details  of  our  trip.  We  found  that  game  was  exceedingly 
scarce,  and  although  Faribault  and  myself  each  killed  a  huge 
male  elk,  we  took  but  the  tongues  and  a  small  portion  of  the 
meat,  expecting  to  be  able  to  kill  animals  for  daily  consump- 
tion, but  we  were  sadly  disappointed.  We  hunted  industriously 
the  next  day,  but  saw  nothing,  and  for  three  entire  days  we 
had  nothing  to  eat  but  wild  rice  boiled,  without  salt  or  other 
condiment.  Now  wild  rice  is  a  good  addendum  to  substantial 
fare,  but  as  the  only  food  for  a  hungry  man,  it  barely  serves 
to  keep  the  wheels  in  motion.  On  the  morning  of  the  fourth 
day,  Jack  Frazer  came  across  a  venerable  old  stag,  lying  in 
the  long  grass  by  a  rivulet,  probably  too  infirm  and  advanced  in 
age  to  make  an  effort  to  escape,  and  shot  him.  There  was  little 
but  skin  and  bone,  nevertheless,  what  with  the  marrow  bones  and 
the  small  quantum  of  flesh  upon  the  carcase,  it  was  a  decided 

1  Note.— I  give  Indian  life  as  it  really  is,  not  as  represented  by  the  poet  Long- 
fellow in  the  following  passage— Hiawatha  p.  399,  Edinburg  Ed. : 
"  Over  wild  and  rushing  rivers, 
In  his  arms  he  bore  the  maiden; 
Light  he  thought  her  as  a  feather, 
As  the  plume  upon  his  head-gear; 
Cleared  the  tangled  pathway  for  her, 
Bent  aside  the  swaying  branches, 
Made  at  night  a  lodge  of  branches 
And  a  bed  with  boughs  of  hemlock. 
And  a  fire  before  the  doorway 
With  the  dry  cones  of  the  pine  tree." 


REMINISCENCES    BY   HON.    H.    H.    SIBLEY.  257 

improvement  upon  the  wild  rice.  The  prairie  was  set  on  fire 
by  some  miserable  savage,  and  we  were  awakened  after  mid- 
night by  the  roaring  of  the  flames,  and  it  was  not  without 
much  exertion  that  we  sav^cd  ourselves  and  our  animals  from 
destruction.  In  fact,  a  led  horse  belonging  to  Frazer  had 
strayed  from  the  camp  and  was  burned  to  death.  This  pursuit 
of  pleasure  under  difficulties  became  somewhat  tedious,  and 
we  turned  our  horses'  heads  in  the  direction  of  the  line  of  march 
of  the  Indians,  and  rejoined  them  the  next  day.  We  continued 
with  them  hunting  daily,  until  we  reached  the  Upper  Red  Cedar 
River,  a  branch  of  the  Lower  Iowa,  which  brought  us  to  the 
northern  border  of  the  neutral  ground.  At  this  point,  Fre- 
mont, disgusted  with  the  toils  and  exposures  of  that  mode  of 
life,  of  which  at  a  later  period  he  was  destined  to  experience 
a  full  share,  proposed  to  depart  for  Prairie  du  Chien,  a  distance 
of  more  than  150  miles.  I  agreed  to  accompany  him,  taking 
with  me  Jack  Frazer  and  the  two  Canadians  with  their  horse 
carts.  I  promised  Faribault  and  Forbes,  who  were  left  behind 
with  the  Indians,  that  I  would  rejoin  them  if  possible  within 
twenty  days. 

Our  journey  was  by  no  means  an  agreeable  one.  The 
streams,  which  are  numerous  in  that  region  were  high,  and  for 
the  most  part  skimmed  with  ice,  which  made  the  process  of 
swimming  them  uncomfortable  in  the  extreme. 

After  some  adventures,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  a 
narrow  escape  from  a  visitation  by  a  large  war  party  of  Sacs 
and  Foxes — we  arrived  safely  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  where 
Fremont  and  Frazer  and  myself  parted  company.  I  returned 
with  my  two  Canadians  driving  their  horse  carts,  and  accom- 
panied by  an  old  hunter  named  Reed,  who  proved  to  be  a  right 
good  fellow,  as  well  as  a  capital  shot.  When  I  reached  the 
Indian  camp  on  the  Red  Cedar,  I  was  met  with  cordiality  by 
my  friends  Forbes  and  Faribault,  as  well  as  by  the  Indians. 
As  I  had  been  absent  28  days,  they  were  all  apprehensive  that 
I  and  my  companions  had  fallen  victims  to  the  Sacs  and  Foxes, 
whose  trail  had  been  discovered  by  the  Dakotas,  or  been 
drowned  in  crossing  the  swollen  streams.  We  left  the  Indians 
to  themselves  after  the  lapse  of  two  or  three  days,  and  returned 
to  our  homes  at  Mendota,  having  been  absent  70  days. 


258  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

About  noon  of  the  first  day's  march  the  sun  shone  with  such 
fervor  that  the  snow  disappeared  from  the  burnt  prairie  with 
marvelous  celerity,  and  we  had  to  abandon  our  sleds  in  turn, 
and  pack  what  we  could  upon  the  backs  of  our  horses,  we 
leading  them  by  the  lariats.  As  we  had  considerably  more 
than  two  hundred  miles  to  perform  on  foot  over  the  frozen  and 
rugged  surface,  the  prospect  was  not  remarkably  bright.  Still 
we  got  along  very  well.  We  fell  in  with  two  herds  of  elk  on 
the  route,  numbering  at  least  five  hundred  in  each,  but  we  only 
killed  a  few  of  them,  as  I  always  made  it  a  rule  to  abstain  from 
useless  slaughter.  We  arrived  at  Mendota  in  due  time,  having 
been  absent  seventy  days,  and  were  warmly  welcomed  by  our 
friends  in  the  village  and  at  Fort  Snelling,  all  of  whom  had 
been  anxious  on  our  account,  there  having  been  rumors  afloat 
that  we  had  been  cut  off  by  the  savages. 

The  following  year  (1841)  we  made  another  expedition  to 
the  same  region  on  a  much  larger  scale,  but  I  do  not  propose 
to  weary  you  with  a  detailed  recital  of  all  the  incidents  that 
occurred,  for  I  was  absent  from  the  first  of  October  until  the 
first  of  March  succeeding,  a  period  of  five  months.  It  may  be 
interesting,  however,  to  describe  the  mode  of  inaugurating  a 
movement  of  this  kind,  and  of  making  soldiers  among  the  In- 
dians. This,  with  a  few  brief  details  connected  with  the 
excursion,  will  close  the  narrative  of  hunting  adventures  in 
which  I  was  a  participant,  although  I  could  extend  it  to  an 
indefinite  length,  so  much  time  was  I  accustomed  to  spend 
every  year  in  such  sports. 

As  usual,  a  feast  was  announced  to  be  given  at  Mendota  on 
a  day  designated,  to  which  I  was  called  upon  to  contribute  two 
fat  oxen  and  a  large  quantity  of  corn.  Invitations  were  ex- 
tended to  the  men  of  the  several  villages,  and  there  appeared 
to  partake  of  the  good  things,  at  least  one  thousand  men, 
women  and  children,  the  two  latter  not  having  been  included 
in  the  bill.  After  the  gorging  process  had  gone  through  with, 
and  the  pipe  smoked,  several  hundred  small  sticks  painted  red 
were  produced,  and  were  offered  for  the  acceptance  of  each 
grown  warrior,  the  object  of  the  assemblage  having  previously 
been  made  known  by  one  of  the  principal  men  present.  It  was 
understood  that  whoever  voluntarily  received  one  of  these 


REMINISCENCES    BY    HON.  H.  H.    SIBLEY.  259 

sticks  was  solemnly  bound  to  be  of  the  hunting  party,  under 
the  penalty  of  punishment  by  the  soldiers.  About  one  hundred 
and  fifty  men  accepted,  and  thereupon  were  declared  duly  en- 
rolled. These  men  then  detached  themselves  from  the  main 
body,  and  after  consultation,  selected  ten  of  the  bravest  and 
most  influential  of  the  young  warriors  to  act  as  soldiers,  having 
absolute  control  of  the  movements,  and  authorized  to  punish 
any  infraction  of  the  rules  promulgated  for  the  government  of 
the  camp.  It  was  then  announced  by  the  soldiers  that  in  six 
days  thereafter  the  buffalo  skin  lodges  should  be  pitched  on  a 
spot  in  the  rear  of  Mendota,  and  there  must  be  no  default  in 
appearing  on  the  part  of  any  one.  The  interval  was  employed 
in  preparations.  At  the  appointed  time,  all  were  present  but 
one  family,  the  head  of  which  declined  to  proceed.  As  soon 
as  this  was  made  known,  five  of  the  soldiers  went  to  the 
delinquent's  village,  12  miles  distant,  and  reappeared  in  a  few 
hours  with  the  man's  lodge  and  its  appendages,  packed  on  the 
backs  of  his  horses,  himself  and  family  following  with  down- 
cast looks.  The  poor  victim  seemed  to  be  utterly  amazed  at 
this  summary  proceeding,  and  the  soldiers  kindly  let  him  off 
without  further  infliction,  but  warned  him  that  a  second  attempt 
to  evade  his  obligation  would  be  visited  with  exemplary  pun- 
ishment. He  gave  them  no  more  trouble,  but  quietly  assumed 
his  place  in  the  ranks. 

We  allowed  the  Indians  to  precede  us  three  or  four  days, 
and  overtook  them  on  the  Cannon  river,  when  alike  with  the 
Indians,  we  became  subject  to  the  control  of  the  soldiers.  At 
the  close  of  each  day,  the  limits  of  the  following  day's  hunt 
would  be  announced  by  the  soldiers,  designated  by  a  stream, 
a  grove  or  other  natural  object.  This  limit  of  each  days  hunt 
was  ordinarily  about  ten  miles  ahead  of  the  proposed  camping 
place,  and  the  soldiers  early  each  morning  went  forward  and 
stationed  themselves  along  the  line,  to  detect  and  punish  any 
one  who  attempted  to  pass  it.  The  reason  for  the  adoption 
of  such  a  rule  was  that  in  a  large  camp,  the  young  men,  unless 
restrained,  would  over  run  the  country  for  a  great  distance  in 
advance,  and  frighten  away  the  game,  so  that  a  supply  of 
food  would  with  difficulty  be  obtained  from  that  source.     The 

penalty  attached  to  the  violation  of  any  of  the  rules  of  the 
34 


260  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

camp  was  discretionary  with  the  soldiers.  In  aggravated 
cases  they  would  thresh  the  offender  unmercifully.  Sometimes 
they  would  cut  the  clothing  of  a  man  or  woman  entirely  to 
pieces,  slit  down  the  lodges  with  their  knives,  break  kettles, 
and  do  other  damage.  I  was  made  the  victim  on  one  occasion, 
by  venturing  too  near  the  prohibited  boundary.  A  soldier 
hid  himself  in  the  long  grass,  until  I  approached  sufficiently 
near,  when  he  sprang  from  his  concealment,  gave  the  soldier's 
whoop,  and  rushed  upon  me.  He  seized  my  fine  double-barrel 
gun,  and  raised  it  in  the  air,  as  if  with  the  intention  of  dashing 
it  against  the  ground.  I  reminded  him  that  guns  were  not  to 
be  broken,  because  they  could  neither  be  repaired  nor  replaced. 
He  handed  me  back  the  gun  and  then  snatched  my  fur  cap  from 
my  head,  ordering  me  back  to  camp,  where  he  said  he  would 
cut  up  my  lodge  in  the  evening.  I  had  to  ride  ten  miles  on  a 
cold  winter's  day  bare-headed,  but  there  was  no  recourse,  as 
it  is  considered  disgraceful  in  the  extreme  to  resist  a  soldier 
while  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty.  When  I  reached  the  lodge 
I  told  Faribault  of  the  predicament  in  which  I  was  placed. 
We  concluded'  that  the  best  policy  would  be  to  prepare  a  feast 
for  the  soldiers,  to  mollify  them.  We  got  together  all  the 
best  things  we  could  muster,  and  when  the  soldiers  arrived  in 
the  evening,  we  went  out  and  invited  them  to  come  and  appease 
their  hunger  in  our  lodge.  The  temptation  was  too  strong  to 
be  resisted.  They  entered,  and  soon  devoured  all  that  had 
been  provided  for  them.  We  then  filled  their  pipes  and  pre- 
sented each  of  them  with  a  plug  of  tobacco,  at  the  same  time 
intimating  that  as  they  had  been  well  treated,  it  would  not  be 
a  kind  return  to  have  our  beautifiul  white  lodge  cut  into 
ribbons.  They  agreed  not  to  interfere  with  it,  and  kept  their 
word.  The  soldier  who  had  worn  my  fur  cap  during  the  day 
returned  it  to  me,  but  I  did  not  venture  to  make  use  of  it  until 
it  had  undergone  a  long  process  of  fumigation. 

When  we  reached  the  big  woods  of  the  Red  Cedar,  the  lodges 
were  permanently  established  for  the  winter,  and  were  sur- 
rounded by  high  pickets,  which  were  not  imbedded  in  the  earth, 
but  placed  so  as  to  rest  upon  transverse  poles,  supp  »rted  by 
upright  forked  posts.  The  branches  of  the  felled  trees  were 
then  piled  around  the  base  of  the  pickets,  forming  a  chevaux 


I 


REMINISCENCES    BY    HON.  H.  H.  SIBLEY.  261 

de  frise,  which  rendered  an  attempt  to  pall  down  any  portion 
of  the  defences,  both  difficult  and  dangeroas.  Spaces  were 
left  between  the  pickets  to  answer  the  purpose  of  loop-holes 
for  musketr}.  Upon  the  whole,  the  fort  as  it  was  called,  was 
so  constructed,  as  not  to  be  easily  stormed  by  an  enemy.  The 
women  and  children  being  thus  placed  in  security,  under  the 
guard  of  a  few  men  who  were  too  old  and  infirm  for  active 
service,  the  hunters  were  left  at  liberty  to  follow  their  vocation 
untrammelled. 

The  presence  of  Faribault  being  required  at  his  trading 
post  on  the  Cannon  river,  he  departed  in  company  with  two 
young  Indians,  leaving  me  alone  with  the  two  hired  men.  I 
made  it  a  practice  to  hunt  with  the  Indians  every  day,  except 
on  Sunday,  when  I  remained  in  my  lodge.  The  Dakota  mode 
of  hunting  deer  is  to  form  an  extended  line  with  intervals  of 
eighty  or  a  hundred  yards  between  the  hunters,  and  then  ad- 
vance at  a  rapid  pace,  completely  scouring  the  country-  on  their 
way.  Any  one  falling  in  the  rear  has  but  a  poor  chance  for 
success.  When  an  animal  is  killed,  the  carcass  remains  on 
the  spot  until  the  return  of  the  owner,  after  the  conclusion  of 
the  day's  hunt.  The  skin  is  then  taken  off,  and  with  a  portion 
of  the  hind  quariers,  is  the  property  of  the  man  who  shot  the 
deer  or  elk,  and  the  remainder  is  equitably  divided  among  such 
as  have  been  less  successful,  or  to  the  widows  and  orphan 
children  in  the  camp.  The  rule  is,  that  while  there  is  any  food 
on  hand,  it  must  be  distributed  to  all  alike.  There  was  a 
great  abundance  of  game  in  the  country  where  we  were 
encamped,  so  that  from  twenty  to  thirty  deer  were  an  average 
day's  hunt  besides  the  elk,  bear,  and  other  animals  killed  with 
fire  arms,  and  beaver  and  otter  taken  with  traps  by  the  men 
who  were  past  the  age  when  they  could  endure  the  exhausting 
exercise  of  deer  hunting. 

I  left  the  camp  at  an  early  hour  one  day  to  "  still  hunt"  in  a 
direction  different  from  that  to  be  taken  by  the  Indians.  I  was 
successful,  and  returned  to  m^'  lodge  bearing  upon  my  shoulders 
the  greater  part  of  a  young  buck.  I  soon  ascertained  that  there 
was  quite  a  commotion  in  the  camp.  One  of  the  women  came 
to  inform  me  that  all  the  men  except  five  old  fellows,  who  could 
not  travel,  had  gone  down  to  the  forks  of  the  Red  Cedar,  more 


262  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

than  forty  miles  distant,  where  they  intended  to  remain  and 
hunt  for  three  or  four  days,  and  she  further  stated  that  a 
strange  Indian  had  been  seen  behind  a  tree  outside  of  the 
camp,  taking  observations.  This  intelligence  startled  me  not 
a  little,  for  I  at  once  suspected  that  a  scout  had  been  sent  for- 
ward by  some  war  party  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  to  reconnoitre, 
preparatory  to  an  attack  upon  the  camp.  Seizing  my  rifle, 
and  followed  by  two  huge  wolf  dogs,  my  constant  companions, 
I  sallied  forth  and  examined  the  spot  where  the  Indian  was  said 
to  have  been  seen.  As  there  was  snow  on  the  ground,  a  trail 
could  be  easily  followed.  There  was  no  mistake,  for  there  was 
the  moccasin  track  of  a  man,  and  from  the  appearance  he  had 
but  recently  left  the  place.  I  followed  the  trail  for  nearly  two 
miles,  when  it  occurred  to  me  that  even  should  I  overtake  the 
stranger,  I  would  have  no  right  to  shoot  him,  and  it  was  by  no 
means  probable  that  he  would  surrender  without  a  fight.  I 
therefore  abandoned  the  pursuit,  and  went  back  to  the  camp 
with  a  foreboding  that  it  would  be  attacked  during  I  he  night. 
I  called  the  five  old  men  together,  and  explained  to  them  the 
condition  of  things,  and  that  the  salvation  of  the  women  and 
children  depended  upon  their  vigilance  and  courage  ;  that  the 
night  must  be  spent  in  watching.  They  assented  to  my  sugges- 
tions and  we  all  made  such  preparations  as  were  in  our  power 
to  meet  the  threatened  assault.  There  was  one  main  entrance 
which  I  determined  to  hold  in  person,  with  the  assistance 
of  a  half  breed  boy,  the  Canadians  having  been  despatched  to 
a  trading  house  below  for  some  needed  articles.  The  four  small 
entrances  were  to  be  guarded  by  the  old  men,  who  were  passa 
bly  well  armed. 

Taking  our  stations,  we  awaited  the  denouement  of  the  affair. 
About  8  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  women  reported  having 
seen  men  moving  in  the  woods  on  one  side  of  the  camp.  I 
forthwith  mustered  all  hands  and  directed  a  general  discharge 
of  the  firearms  in  that  direction,  so  as  to  produce  an  impres- 
sion that  we  were  on  th^  alert,  and  had  more  men  in  camp  than 
there  really  were.  I  fired  five  shots  from  my  double-barreled 
gun,  rifle  and  pistols,  and  all  the  others  followed  suit,  so  that 
there  was  quite  a  respectable  display  of  force.  No  further 
alarm  was  given  until  three  o'clock  next  morning,  when  every 


REMINISCENCES    BY    HON.  H.  H.  SlBLEt.  263 

one  of  the  numberless  Indian  dogs  in  the  encampment  com- 
menced barking  and  made  a  rush  to  the  outside  of  the  stockade. 
I  firmly  believed  that  the  decisive  moment  had  arrived,  and  so 
thought  all  the  tenants  of  the  lodges,  for  the  old  men  began  to 
sing  their  dismal  death  songs,  the  women  screamed,  and  the 
children  cried,  so  that  together  with  the  howling  and  barking  of 
the  dogs,  there  was  such  a  concert  of  anything  but  harmonious 
sounds  as  never  before  greeted  the  ears  of  a  civilized  being. 
I  sent  the  boy  to  still  the  tumult  if  possible,  telling  him  to  say 
to  the  old  men  and  the  women  that  their  loud  demonstrations 
of  alarm  were  certain  to  invite  an  attack.  The  bipeds  and 
quadrupeds  were  finally  silenced,  and  I  must  confess  that  I  was 
rejoiced  when  the  dawn  appeared.  I  went  forth  at  sunrise  to 
examine  the  surroundings,  and  found  in  the  snow  the  tracks  of 
many  moccasined  feet,  and  following  the  broad  trail  I  was  led 
to  the  place  where  the  enemy,  some  fifty  or  sixty  in  number, 
had  tied  their  horses  to  the  trees.  They  probably  were  de- 
terred from  venturing  an  attack  by  the  strength  of  the  defences 
and  the  certainty  that  they  could  not  effect  an  entrance  with- 
out the  loss  of  more  men  than  they  were  willing  to  sacrifice. 
I  selected  a  young  active  looking  Dakota  boy  who  might  be 
ftfteen  years  old,  and  asked  him  if  he  was  man  enough  to  follow 
the  trail  of  the  hunters  to  the  forks,  and  he  replied,  proudly, 
that  he  was.  "  Hasten,  then,"  said  I,  "  and  tell  the  men  to 
return  without  delay."  He  sprang  awa}^  at  a  rapid  pace,  and 
communicated  my  message  to  the  hunters,  and  shortly  after 
midnight  of  the  same  day  we  heard  gladly  the  reports  of  guns 
at  intervals  to  indicate  their  approach.  The  distance  accom- 
plished by  the  boy  in  eighteen  or  twenty  hours,  going  and 
returning,  was  considerably  over  eighty  miles.  I  reproached 
Little  Crow,  who  was  with  the  party,  for  the  recklessness 
displayed  by  him  and  the  others,  in  leaving  so  large  a  number 
of  defenceless  women  and  children  in  an  enemy's  country,  in 
an  unguarded  camp.  He  acknowledged  it  was  very  foolish  to 
do  so,  and  promised  that  such  carelessness  should  not  be  re- 
peated. In  the  morning  a  number  of  the  fastest  runners  were 
dispatched  on  the  enemy's  trail,  but  they  were  too  well  mounted 
and  had  too  long  a  start  to  be  overtaken. 

Before  leaving  home,  I  learned  that  a  party  of  white  men 


264  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

were  about  being  despatched  to  the  Little  Red  Cedar  River  to 
erect  buildings  for  a  government  agency,  the  neutral  ground 
having  been  transferred  by  the  authorities  to  the  Winnebago 
tribe  of  Indians.  Being  desirous  of  ascertaining  the  location, 
I  started  on  what  I  supposed  to  be  a  Sabbath  morning,  with 
my  two  noble  hounds,  and  after  a  brisk  walk  of  twenty  miles 
through  the  woods,  I  stumbled  upon  a  clearing  where  there 
was  a  log  hut,  and  eight  or  ten  men  employed  in  labor  of  vari- 
ous kinds.  I  had  allowed  my  hair  to  grow  very  long,  and  for 
some  time  past  had  worn  no  other  covering  on  my  head,  and 
being  bearded  like  a  pard,  and  dressed  in  Indian  costume,  with 
two  enormous  dogs  at  my  heels,  the  men  crowded  about  me, 
wondering  where  such  a  wild  man  of  the  woods  had  come  from. 
A  gentleman  named  Thomas  was  in  charge  of  the  party,  who 
was  quite  well  known  to  me.  I  introduced  myself  by  name, 
but  Thomas  failed  to  recognize  me,  and  evidently  suspected  I 
was  assuming  a  character  to  which  I  had  no  claim.  Finally, 
I  satisfied  him  of  my  identity  and  he  gave  me  a  hearty  welcome. 
As  we  entered  the  cabin,  I  expressed  my  surprise  that  he  per- 
mitted his  men  to  labor  on  Sunday.  "  Why,"  said  he,  "  this 
isn't  Sunday,  but  Thursday."  It  was  difficult  for  me  to  believe 
I  had  so  far  erred  in  my  reckoning,  for  I  was  in  the  habit  of 
noting  down  from  time  to  time  on  my  memorandum  book  any 
incidents  worthy  of  mention,  with  the  dates.  It  was  a  fact, 
nevertheless,  that  I  had  been  keeping  Thursday  instead  of  the 
Sabbath.  Mr.  Thomas  pressed  me  to  remain  until  the  next 
day,  but  I  declined,  and  took  up  my  march  to  the  camp, 
which  I  reached  late  at  night. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  month  of  February,  I  bade  adieu  to 
the  Indians  and  wended  my  way  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  thence 
on  the  ice  of  the  Mississippi  to  Mendota.  I  had  not  had  any 
communication  with  my  friends  for  four  months,  and  my  safe 
arrival  was  a  great  relief  to  them. 

During  my  residence  in  the  Indian  camp,  I  had  been  treated 
with  deference  and  respect,  and  no  attempt  svas  made  to  annoy 
me,  except  in  one  instance,  when  some  miscreant,  probably  in 
a  bit  of  ill  humor  with  the  whole  camp,  kindled  a  fire  in  the 
middle  of  the  night,  under  the  cart  which  stood  very  near  my 
lodge,  and   which  contained  two  kegs  of  gun-powder  of  fifty 


REMINISCENCES    BY   HON.  H.  H.  SIBLEY.  265 

pounds  each.  The  dense  smoke  awaked  both  myself  and  the 
Canadians  and  we  rushed  out  to  discover  the  cause.  The  floor 
of  the  cart  was  on  fire  immediately  under  the  kegs,  and  a  delay 
of  a  few  minutes  would  have  been  followed  by  an  explosion 
which  would  have  blown  us  and  the  tenants  of  the  soldiers* 
lodge  close  by  to  atoms,  and  occasioned  great  destruction  in 
the  other  parts  of  the  camp.  We  removed  the  powder  in  haste, 
and  then  extinguished  the  fire.  Efforts  were  made  to  ferret 
out  the  author,  but  without  success,  nor  was  I  able  to  fix 
suspicion  upon  any  one. 

The  havoc  made  among  the  game  may  be  estimated,  when  I 
state,  that  more  than  2,000  deer,  50  or  60  elk,  many  bears,  and 
a  few  buffaloes,  had  been  destroyed  before  I  separated  from 
the  Indians.  To  these  may  be  added  five  or  six  panthers. 
Faribault  shot  a  young  one  before  his  departure,  a*d  narrowly 
escaped  death  or  severe  injuiy  from  its  enraged  mother,  which 
was  about  springing  upon  him  when  one  of  my  hounds  seized 
her  from  behind,  and  arrested  her  course.  She  shook  herself 
free  from  her  antagonist,  and  dashed  away  into  the  forest, 
fortunately  without  injury  to  the  dog  in  the  struggle. 

BOUNDARY  CHANGES EARLY  LAW  MATTERS. 

It  may  seem  paradoxical,  but  it  is  nevertheless  ^rue,  that  I 
was  successively  a  citizen  of  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Iowa  and 
Minnesota  Territories,  without  changing  my  residence  at 
Mendota.  The  jurisdiction  of  the  first  named  terminated  when 
Wisconsin  was  organized  in  1836,  and  in  turn  Iowa  extended 
her  sway  over  the  west  of  the  Mississippi  in  1838.  When  the 
latter  was  admitted  as  a  State  with  very  much  diminished  area, 
the  country  lying  outside  of  the  State  boundaries,  was  left  with- 
out any  government  until  the  establishment  of  the  Minnesota 
territorial  organization  placed  us  where  we  now  are. 

It  was  my  fortune  to  be  the  first  to  introduce  the  machinery 
of  the  law,  into  what  our  legal  brethren  would  have  termed  a 
benighted  region,  having  received  a  commission  of  Justice  of 
the  Peace  from  the  Governor  of  Iowa  Territory,  for  the  County 
of  Clayton.  This  County  was  an  empire  of  itself  in  extent, 
reaching  from  a  line  some  twenty  miles  below  Prairie  du  Chien 


Minnesota  HistoRicAL  collections. 

on  the  west  of  the  '"Father  of  waters"  to  Pembina,  and  across 
to  the  Missouri  river.  As  I  was  the  only  magistrate  in  this 
region  and  the  county  seat  was  some  three  hundred  miles 
distant,  I  had  matters  pretty  much  under  my  own  control,  there 
being  little  chance  of  an  appeal  from  my  decisions.  In  fact 
some  of  the  simple-minded  people  around  me,  firmly  believed 
that  I  had  the  power  of  life  and  death.  On  one  occasion  I 
issued  a  warrant  for  a  Canadian,  who  had  committed  a  gross 
outrage,  and  then  fled  from  justice.  1  despatched  a  trusty 
constable  in  pursuit,  and  he  overtook  the  man  below  Lake 
Pepin,  and  brought  him  back  in  irons.  The  friends  of  the 
culprit  begged  hard  that  he  should  not  be  severely  punished, 
and  after  keeping  him  in  durance  vile  for  several  days,  I  agreed 
to  release  Jiim  if  he  would  leave  the  country,  threatening  him 
with  dire  vengeance  if  he  should  ever  return.  He  left  in  great 
haste  and  I  never  saw  him  afterwards. 

In  my  own  county  of  Dakota,  at  a  later  period,  we  had  some 
bright  and  shining  lights  among  those  who  held  commissions 
as  magistrate.  One  case  of  assault  and  battery  was  tried  be- 
fore a  justice  at  Mendota,  who  was  a  very  worthy,  upright 
Frenchman,  but  indifferently  versed  in  the  English  language. 
One  of  the  leading  members  of  the  bar  was  imported  from 
Ramsey  county  for  the  defense.  He  made  a  powerful  and 
logical  argument  for  the  prisoners  of  at  least  an  hour's  dura- 
tion I  was  sitting  in  my  oflSce  next  door  to  the  court  room, 
when  the  justice  entered  hastily,  and  said  to  me  in  French : 
"  That  infernal  lawyer  has  been  talking  to  me  until  I  am  tired, 
and  I  have  not  understood  one  word  in  ten  that  he  has  said," 
and  he  then  asked  me  what  he  should  do.  I  told  him  he  had 
heard  the  evidence,  and  should  be  governed  thereby  in  his 
decisions,  and  not  to  pay  any  attention  to  the  speech,  and  I 
believe  he  did  decide  properly.  When  I  told  the  counsel  after- 
wards that  he  had  thrown  much  eloquence  and  erudition  to  the 
winds,  he  was  astounded,  "  for,"  said  he,  *'  the  justice  never 
took  his  eye  from  me  while  I  was  speaking,  and  I  flattered  m}^- 
self  upon  having  produced  a  profound  impression." 

Another  justice,  not  a  hundred  miles  from  Kaposia,  was 
called  upon  to  decide  between  two  adverse  claimants,  who 
agreed  to  waive  the  right  to  a  jury  trial.     After  hearing  the 


REMINISCENCES    BY   HON.  H.  H     SIBLEY.  267 

evidence,  the  magistrate  decided  in  favor  of  the  plaintiff",  where- 
upon the  defendant  accused  him  of  partiality  and  injustice, 
and  the  dignity  of  the  bench  came  very  near  being  seriously 
compromised  bj'  a  fisticuff  between  the  court  and  the  party 
who  considered  himself  aggrieved.  An  appeal  was  taken  to 
the  District  Court  by  the  defendant,  and  when  the  writ  was 
served  upon  the  justice  ordering  him  to  produce  a  transcript 
of  his  docket  and  other  papers  in  the  case,  instead  of  comply- 
ing with  the  mandate  of  the  court,  he  sat  down  and  committed 
to  paper  a  long  and  elaborate  address  to  the  judge,  setting 
forth  that  the  appellant  had  abused  him,  that  he  was  a  mean 
scamp  generally,  and  concluded  by  stating  to  his  honor  that 
he  had  erred  in  granting  the  appeal,  and  if  he  wanted  the 
papers  in  the  case  he  might  look  for  them,  as  he,  the  justice, 
would  have  nothing  further  to  do  with  it.  That  paper  ought 
to  have  been  secured  for  the  Historical  Society.  It  was  duly 
dispatched  to  the  judge  and  I  heard  it  read  by  the  clerk,  and 
I  much  doubt  if  ever  a  document  produced  a  greater  sensation 
in  a  court  room  than  that  did.  It  was  subsequently  abstracted 
from  the  files,  doubtless  by  some  one  who  had  a  laudable 
desire  lo  become  learned  in  the  law. 

I  had  the  honor  of  being  the  foreman  of  the  first  grand  jury 
ever  empanelled  on  the  west  of  the  Mississippi  River,  in  what 
is  now  the  State  of  Minnesota.  The  court  was  held  at  Men- 
dota.  Judge  Cooper  being  assigned  to  that  district.  His  honor 
delivered  a  written  charge  of  considerable  length,  and  really 
it  was  an  able  and  finished  production.  Unfortunately,  out  of 
the  twenty  odd  men  who  composed  the  jury  but  three,  if  I 
recollect  rightly,  could  speak  English,  the  rest  being  French 
men,  who  were  to  a  man  proloundly  ignorant  of  any  language 
but  their  own.  As  a  matter  of  course,  they  were  highly  edified 
while  engaged  in  listening  to  the  Judge's  charge. 

Major   Joseph  R.   Brown,  lately  deceased,  who  has  been 

already  mentioned,  resided  at  an  early  day  at  Grey  Cloud 

Island  on  the  Mississippi,  in  the  county  of  St.    Croix,  now 

Washington.     He  too  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  on  one 

occasion   was  called  upon  to  decide   between  two  Canadian 

Frenchmen  named  Parant  and  LeClaire,  who  claimed  the 

same  piece  of  land  at  Pig's  Eye,  a  few  miles  below  the  city  of 
3.0 


268  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

St.  Paul.  Brown  was  in  a  dilemma,  as  he  doubted  his 
authority  to  decide  questions  of  title  to  land,  yet  he  was  un- 
willing to  allow  the  dignity  of  his  official  station  to  be  lowered 
in  the  estimation  of  the  simple  people  around  him,  by  avowing 
a  want  of  jurisdiction  in  the  premises.  He  therefore  listened 
to  the  evidence  pro  and  con^  and  having  ascertained  that  the 
claim  had  not  been  staked  out,  he  cut  the  Gordian  knot  of 
legal  uncertainty,  by  deciding  that  the  land  would  be  awarded 
to  the  party  who  should  first  arrive  on  the  ground,  and  stake 
it  out.  The  decision  was  accepted  as  being  in  accordance  with 
law,  and  neither  of  the  men  being  the  owner  of  a  horse,  a  foot 
race  of  more  than  eight  miles  ensued  between  them.  LeClaire 
being  the  fleetest  runner,  succeeded  in  placing  his  land  marks 
in  the  presence  of  witnesses,  before  the  arrival  of  his  panting 
competitor.  The  latter  made  no  further  contest,  and  LeClaire 
proceeded  to  pre-empt  the  tract,  and  lived  upon  it  for  several 
years,  and  finally  died  there.  This  is  by  no  means  the  only 
instance  in  which  superior  rapidity  of  movement  was  the  means 
of  securing  a  valuable  pre-emption,  but  it  is  believed  to  be  the 
sole  case  in  the  history  of  the  Northwest,  in  which  speed  of 
foot  was  made  to  decide  a  legal  question  in  obedience  to  the 
fiat  of  a  magistrate. 

MISSIONARY    OPERATIONS. 

Rev.  Samuel  Pond  and  Rev.  Gideon  H.  Pond,  both  still  liv- 
ing and  highly  respected  ministers  of  the  gospel  in  this  State, 
came  to  this  region  in  the  spring  of  1834,  from  New  England, 
and  established  themselves  as  missionaries  with  the  Lake  Cal- 
houn Band.  They  continued  to  labor  among  the  Indians  for 
many  years,  and  their  intimate  acquaintance  with  their  lan- 
guage, enabled  them,  in  connection  with  Rev.  Messrs.  Riggs 
and  Williamson,  to  reduce  it  to  a  system,  and  in  addition  to 
other  works  whicli  were  printed,  to  furnish  for  publication  by 
the  Smithsonian  Institute,  in  Washington  city,  an  elaborate 
and  complete  Dakota  Lexicon.  Dr.  Williamson  arrived  in 
1835,  and  Mr.  Riggs  a  year  later.  They  still  labor  for  the 
spiritual  benefit  of  the  Indians.  They  first  opened  a  mission 
at  Lac  qui  Parle,  with  Mr.  Huggins  as  assistant,  who  died  not 
long  since,  and  whose  son,  a   pious  and  devoted  missionary, 


f 


REMINISCENCES    BY    HON.    H.    H.    SIBLEY.  269 

was  killed  b}' the  Indians,  in  1862,  at  that  station.  Messrs. 
Gavin  and  Denton  were  sent  out  by  a  Swiss  society  as  mis- 
sionaries among  the  savages,  but  were  recalled  many  years 
since.  Rev-.  Mr.  Hopkins  had  charge  at  Traverse  des  Sioux, 
where  he  was  accidentally  drowned  in  1851.  Mission  stations 
were  at  a  later  period  established  by  Rev.  Mr.  Riggs  at  Yel- 
low Medicine,  and  by  Rev.  Mr.  Hinman,  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  at  the  Redwood  or  Lower  Agency,  which  were  contin- 
ued until  the  expulsion  of  the  Indians  from  Minnesota. 

Rev.  Father  Galtier  was  the  pioneer  missionary  of  the 
Catholic  church,  having  been  stationed  at  Mendota  from  1840 
uutil  1844,  when  he  removed  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  where 
he  died  several  years  ago.  He  was  succeeded  by  Very 
Reverend  Father  Ravoux,  now  Vicar  General  of  the  Di- 
ocese of  Saint  Paul,  and  a  resident  of  the  city.  He  arrived  in 
1841,  remained  a  short  time  with  Father  Galtier,  at  Men- 
dota, and  then  visited  the  posts  along  the  Minnesota  river. 
He  passed  two  winters  at  Chaska,  then  a  small  trading  station, 
laboring  with  the  Indians.  He  then  resumed  the  position  va- 
cated by  Father  Galtier,  at  Mendota,  where  he  resided  until 
the  decease  of  Right  Rev.  Mr.  Cretin,  Bishop  of  St.  Paul,  in 
1857,  when  he  removed  to  St.  Paul.  (I  was  on  intimate 
terms  with  Father  Ravoux,  and  can  testify  that  he  was  highly 
respected  for  his  purity  of  character  and  devotion,  and  exer- 
cised great  influence  over  whites  and  Indians.)     ■ 

organization  of  the  territory. 

When  the  bill  for  the  organization  of  Minnesota  Territory 
was  pending  in  Congress,  there  was  a  surprising  degree  of 
ignorance  manifested  even  by  members  from  the  Northwest, 
with  reference  to  the  geographical  position  of  the  country  in 
question.  Hon.  Joseph  Root,  of  Ohio,  made  a  vehement 
speech  against  the  measure,  denouncing  as  farcical  and  absurd 
the  formation  of  a  temporary  government  in  a  hyperborean 
region,  where  agricultural  pursuits  were  impracticable,  and 
where  no  white  man  would  go  unless  to  cut  pine  logs.  Other 
members  took  a  similar  view  of  the  subject.  Probably  such  of 
these  wise-acres,  as  are  still  in  the  land  of  the  living,  have  had 
occasion  to  modify  their  opinions  somewhat,  since  that  period. 


270  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

Enough  had  been  ascertained  b}'  experiment  previous  to 
1834,  to  demonstrate  that  our  soil  was  peculiarly  adapted  to 
the  production  of  wheat,  barley  and  other  small  grains,  bu*.  it 
was  deemed  very  questionable,  whether  any  but  the  small  corn 
raised  by  the  Indians  would  mature.  The  problem  was  solved 
by  Messrs.  Norris  and  Haskell  of  Washington  county,  who 
were  the  first  men  to  open  farms  on  an  extensive  scale,  and  to 
prove  that  every  variety  of  maize  could  be  successfully  cul- 
tivated. 

Messrs.  Orange  Walker  and  his  associates  at  Marine,  and 
John  McKusick  with  his  brother  Jonathan  at  Stillwater,  were 
the  pioneers  in  the  lumbering  business  which  has  since  assumed 
such  gigantic  proportions,  although  Joseph  R.  Brown  is 
believed  to  have  been  the  first  to  descend  the  St.  Croix  with  a 
raft  of  lumber. 

In  1847,  Wisconsin  was  admitted  as  a  State,  with  the  Saint 
Croix  as  the  north-western  boundary,  leaving  the  counties  west 
of  that  stream  without  a  government.  The  people  believed 
they  had  a  right  of  representation  in  Congress,  the  organic  act 
of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin  not  having  been  expressly  re- 
pealed when  the  State  was  admitted  into  the  Union.  They 
accordingly  elected  me  as  delegate  to  Washington  city,  in  1848, 
and  1  was  only  admitted  to  a  seat,  after  long  and  vexatious 
delays. 

When  my  credentials  as  Delegate  were  presented  by  Hon. 
James  Wilson,  of  New  Hampshire,  to  the  House  of  Represent- 
atives, there  was  some  curiosity  manifested  by  the  members  to 
see  what  kind  of  a  person  had  been  elected  to  represent  the 
distant  and  wild  Territory  claiming  representation  in  Con- 
gress. I  was  told  by  a  New  England  member  with  whom  I 
became  subsequently  quite  intimate,  that  there  was  some  dis- 
appointment felt  when  I  made  my  appearance,  for  it  was  ex- 
pected that  the  Delegate  from  this  remote  region  would  make 
his  debut,  if  not  in  full  Indian  costume,  at  least  with  some  pe- 
culiarities of  dress  and  manners,  characteristic  of  the  rude  and 
semi-civilized  people  who  had  sent  him  to  the  capitol.* 

1  Were  these  annals  only  to  meet  the  eye  of  the  pioneer,  or  present  population 
of  Minnesota,  it  would  be  unnecessary  to  speak  of  the  personal  appearance,  mental 
or  moral  attributes  of  General  Sibley,  where  he  and  they  are  so  well  known,  but. 


REMINISCENCES    BY   HON.  H.  H.  SIBLEY.  271 

There  were  thus  in  Congress,  at  the  same  time,  Senators  and 
Representatives  from  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  and  a  delegate 
from  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  a  case  for  which  there  was 
no  precedent.  The  Territory  of  Minnesota  was  organized  by 
act  of  Congress,  approved  March  3d,  1849,  the  night  before 
the  adjournment.  The  curious  in  such  matters  will  find  the 
first  appropriation  for  the  support  of  the  territorial  govern- 
ment, in  a  bill  entitled,  "  A  bill  for  the  relief  of  James  Norris 
and  for  other  purposes."  There  was  no  time  to  add  the  item 
to  the  regular  appropriation  bills  at  that  late  period  of  the 
session,  and  the  private  bill  for  the  benefit  of  Mr.  Norris, 
passed,  with  the  sum  for  the  expenses  of  Minnesota  Territory 
tacked  to  it  as  an  amendment. 

In  the  spring  of  1849,  Governor  Ramsey  arrived  at  St.  Paul, 
as  did  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  Messrs.  Goodrich, 
Meeker  and  Cooper,  and  the  other  territorial  officers,  when 
the  new  government  was  duly  organized  and  went  into  imme- 
diate operation.  Parties  commenced  to  form  forthwith,  and  a 
furious  political  war  followed,  many  particulars  of  which  must 
afford  amusement  to  those  yet  living,  who  participated  in  the 
strife.  It  seemed  as  if  the  whole  burden  of  national  affairs  had 
suddenly  been  transferred  to  the  six  thousand  people,  who 
composed  the  population  of  the  Territory. 

In   the  course  of  a  canvass  for  delegate  to  Congress,   an 

as  they  will  be  perused  in  after  time,  and  in  other  lands,  and  inasmuch  as  the  ques- 
tion was  raised,  it  may  be  well  to  observe  that  the  pioneers  of  Minnesota  were 
justly  proud  of  the  manly  bearing,  mental  qualities  and  exemplary  character  of  the 
man  of  their  choice;  regarding  these  a  kind  of  offset  for  any  lack  of  population,  or 
commercial  importance  that  might  be  urged  against  their  claims  to  recognition. 
Nor  were  they  visionary.  The  writer  of  this  note,  not  then  a  resident  of  Minnesota, 
spent  a  portion  of  the  winter  and  spring  of  1849,  at  the  national  capital,  and  can  bear 
witness  to  the  justness  of  these  expectations.  To  say  that  the  delegate  from  Min- 
nesota did  not  suffer  by  comparison  with  the  members  of  the  body  to  which  the  old 
settlers  had  accredited  him,  would  fail  to  do  justice  to  their  good  taste.  Henry 
Hastings  Sibley  would,  by  his  stately  bearing,  have  attracted  favorable  notice  at 
the  most  refined  courts  of  Europe;  his  literary  contributions  to  the  periodicals  of 
20  to  80  years  ago,  both  in  his  own  name  and  under  the  non  deplume  of  "Hal,  a  Da- 
coTAH,"  proved  him  to  be  a  forcible  and  finished  writer,  while  his  letter  to  Sen- 
ator FooTE,  which  appeared  in  the  Washington  Union,  in  February,  1850,  gave  to 
the  outside  world  the  first  authentic  information  concerning  these  regions,  and  did 
much  to  attract  public  attention  hither.  Of  his  personal  character  it  would  seem 
unnecessary  to  speak;  above  reproach,  courtly  and  kind,  he,  while  leading  a  singu- 
larly laborious  life,  yet  finds  time  to  identify  himself  with  every  good  and  charitable 
work,  and  is  the  staunch  and  sympathetic  friend  of  the  frontiersman  in  his  hour  of 
need.—A,  G. 


272  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

excited  speaker  while  eulogizing  his  favorite  candidate  before 
an  assembled  crowd,  as  a  man  of  liberal  principles,  unfortu- 
nately mistook  the  meaning  of  the  word  he  used,   saying  he 

was  in  favor  of  Mr. because  he  was  "the  greatest  libertine 

in  the  country."  The  proceedings  of  the  legislative  bodies 
were  characterized  at  times  by  the  same  excitement  which 
animated  the  people  generally.  The  old  settlers  will  recollect, 
that  a  considerable  minority  once  left  the  halls  of  legislation, 
and  went  on  a  fishing  excursion  to  prevent  the  passage  of  some 
obnoxious  bill.  It  is  creditable  to  all  concerned,  that  the 
absorbing  interest  felt  in  these  party  struggles,  only  on  one 
or  two  occasion  culminated  in  a  resort  to  personal  violence. 
The  pistol  and  the  bowie  knife  were  never  regarded  with  favor 
by  Minnesotians,  and  in  that  particular  they  proved  their 
superiority  over  the  population  of  most  of  the  frontier  States 
and  Territories,  where  these  weapons  were  too  often  made  the 
arbiter  in  political  and  personal  controversies. 

There  was  quite  a  grand  celebration  of  the  4th  of  July  fol- 
lowing the  organization  of  the  Territory,  in  the  then  village 
of  St.  Paul.  All  the  dignitaries  of  the  new  government,  and 
in  fact  the  whole  adult  male  population  joined  in  the  procession 
to  a  grove  not  far  distant,  where  the  exercises  were  to  be  con- 
ducted. Everything  was  managed  in  the  most  orthodox 
fashion.  W.  D.  Phillips  read  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
and  Judge  Meeker  delivered  the  oration.  One  of  our  citizens 
being  asked  how  he  enjoyed  the  performances,  said  he  regarded 
Phillip's  speech  as  decidedly  the  best  effort  of  the  day. 

St.  Paul,  St.  Anthony,  and  Stillwater,  were  the  only  villages 
of  any  importance  in  those  days.  By  a  sort  of  general  agree- 
ment, St.  Paul  was  to  be  the  capital,  St.  Anthony  the  site  of 
the  university,  and  Stillwater  the  location  of  the  penitentiary, 
and  the  arrangement  was  faithfully  carried  out. 

It  was  only  after  the  treaties  of  1851  opened  the  vast  trans- 
Mississippi  region  to  the  whites,  that  immigration  received  its 
first  great  impulse.  From  that  period,  the  population  increased 
with  great  rapidity. 

MORALITY  OF   THE    EARLY  SETTLERS. 

It  has  been  made  a  subject  of  frequent  remark,  that   the 


REMINISCENCES    BY   HON.    H.    H.    SIBLEY.  273 

settlemeDt  of  Minnesota  has  been  singularly  free  from 
the  disorders  and  deeds  of  violence,  which  have  almost 
invariably  accompanied  the  same  process  in  other  western 
Territories  and  States.  Crimes  of  magnitude,  especially  such 
as  involved  the  destruction  of  human  life,  have  been  so  rarely 
committed,  that  the  whole  record  of  Minnesota  in  that  respect, 
may  be  advantageously  compared  with  that  of  any  State  in 
the  Union.  I  attribute  this  mainly  to  the  fact  that  Minnesota, 
California  and  Oregon  were  settled  simultaneously,  and  that 
the  gold  fields  of  the  Pacific  attracted  thither  a  host  of  reckless 
adventurers,  who  would  otherwise  have  found  a  home  among 
us.  Thus  while  that  class  emigrated  to  the  other  side  of  the 
stony  mountains  in  pursuit  of  the  precious  metals,  the  men 
who  had  it  in  view  to  gain  a  subsistence  by  honest  labor, 
sought  the  fertile  prairies  of  Minnesota  with  their  families.  It 
is  hardl)^  necessary  to  mention,  that  while  our  population  is 
many  thousands  less  than  it  would  have  been,  but  for  the 
attractions  referred  to  in  another  quarter,  the  State  has  been 
vastly  benefited  by  remaining  free  from  the  presence  of  a 
large  number  of  that  description  of  persons  who  are  popularly 
said  to  "  live  by  their  wits."  The  infusion  of  such  an  element 
into  our  population,  would  have  resulted  in  a  rehearsal  on  an 
extensive  scale,  of  those  scenes  of  sanguinary  violence,  which 
have  disgraced  the  earlier  history  of  so  many  of  the  border 
States. 

PIONEER   JOURNALISTS. 

Public  journalism,  which  has  accomplished  so  much  in  ad 
vancing  the  interests  of  the  Territory  and  State,  was  first  rep- 
resented by  James  M.  Goodhue,  who  established  the  Pioneer, i-^ 
1849.  A  few  numbers  of  the  Minnesota  Register  had  previous- 
ly been  circulated  among  our  citizens,  advocating  the  claims 
of  the  new  Territory  to  public  attention,  but  these  were  printed 
in  Cincinnati.  In  many  respects,  Goodhue  was  admirably 
fitted  to  conduct  a  newspaper.  He  labored  earnestly  and  suc- 
cessfully, while  he  lived,  in  behalf  of  Minnesota.  The'  Chron- 
icle and  Register,  under  the  auspices  of  Messrs.  McLean, 
Owens  and  Hughes,  the  Democrat,  owned  and  edited  by  D.  A. 
Robertson  ;  the  St.  Anthony  Express,  by  Isaac  Atwater  ;  the 


274  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

Minnesotian,  by  John  P.  Owens,  and  the  Advertiser  by  Joseph 
A.  Wheelock,  were  established  in  the  order  in  which  they 
are  named.  John  H.  Stevens  published  the  first  paper  on  the 
west  of  the  Mississippi,  at  Glencoe,  in  McLeod  county,  called 
the  Glertcoe  Register.  It  was  a  model  of  a  local  paper, 
abounding  in  details  of  interest.  All  of  the  journals  men- 
tioned were  edited  with  ability,  and  their  columns  were  de- 
voted to  the  object  of  attracting  immigration  to  this  region,  by 
the  publication  of  editorials  and  other  articles  demonstrating 
the  superiority  of  the  new  Territory  in  an  agricultural  point  of 
view.  In  fact,  taken  in  the  aggregate,  the  press  of  this  Ter- 
ritory and  State,  in  its  earlier  and  later  days,  might  safely 
challenge  a  comparison  in  typographical  excellence  and  intel- 
lectual force,  with  that  of  any  other  of  the  Western  States,  and 
Minnesota  can  never  cancel  her  obligations  to  her  public  jour- 
nalists, who,  however  they  differed  in  other  matters,  united 
with  singular  devotion  and  zeal  in  pressing  the  attractions  Of 
this  region  upon  the  public  attention,  and  in  advocating  its 
material  interests.  But  for  their  labors  the  State  would  be 
far  behind  her  present  status  in  population  and  in  wealth. 

MOTIVES  FOR    STATE  PRIDE. 

It  has  been  my  fortune  to  visit  at  one  time  or  another,  almost 
everj^  part  of  our  widely  extended  State.  The  area  now  com- 
prised in  the  southern  counties  was  m}^  hunting  ground,  year 
after  year.  1  have  ascended  the  Minnesota  valley  to  its 
termination,  and  have  roamed  along  the  shores  of  the  magnifi- 
cent lakes  of  the  Kandiyohi  region,  and  those  northwest 
towards  the  Red  River.  I  have  traversed  the  prairies  between 
Fort  Ridgely  and  Mankato  south  to  the  boundary  of  Iowa, 
and  I  have  stood  by  the  far-off  iron  monuments  which  mark 
the  line  between  Minnesota  and  the  Territory  of  Dakota,  and 
yet  to  this  moment  I  am  unable  to  decide  which  section  is  the 
most  beautiful  and  attractive.  Like  the  individual  who  finds 
himself  surrounded  by  a  bevy  of  fair  maidens,  equal  in  charms 
but  of  difierent  styles  of  loveliness,  and  adjudges  the  palm  to 
the  one  he  looks  upon,  until  his  eye  rests  upon  another  to  be 
dazzled  in  turn  by  her  attractions,  so  I,  after  gazing  at  the 
scenery  in  various  parts  of  the  State  successively,  have  asked 


REMINISCENCES    BY   HON.    H.    H.    SIBLEY.  27^ 

myself  each  time  the  question,  "  Where  can  a  more  inviting 
region  be  found  upon  the  earth."  Each  landscape  has  seemed 
to  be  unapproachable  in  its  perfection  and  the  symmetry  of  its 
proportions,  until  another,  its  peer  in  all  respects,  has  extorted 
the  same  measure  of  unqualified  admiration. 

Minnesotians  are  often  charged  with  exaggeration  when 
speaking  of  the  advantages  of  their  own  State  over  their  sister 
States.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  they  should  manifest 
an  honest  pride  when  they  point  to  the  position  to  which  she 
has  sprung  almost  as  suddenly  as  the  armed  Minerva  from  the 
head  of  Jove.  In  1850,  she  had  a  population  of  G,000  souls, 
all  told,  including  some  of  the  settlements  now  embraced  in 
Dakota  Territory.  In  twenty-three  years  thereafter  the  num- 
ber approximates,  if  it  does  not  exceed  600,000.  The  last  de- 
cade has  witnessed  the  commencement  of  our  railroad  system 
until  it  has  expanded  into  gigantic  proportions.  Our  people 
are  the  very  embodiment  of  energy  and  enterprise.  We  have 
a  healthy  climate,  a  soil  of  surpassing  fertility.  Our  men  won 
for  themselves  and  for  the  State  during  the  late  war  of  the  re- 
bellion, a  distinction  which  will  last  as  long  as  the  republic 
exists.  Our  fair  women  manifested  equal  devotion,  in  submit- 
ting with  cheerfulness  to  the  sacrifices  demanded  of  them  dur- 
ing the  continuance  of  the  fearful  contest,  and  in  sparing  no 
labor  to  provide  for  the  comfort  of  the  soldier  in  the  field,  or 
sick  or  wounded  in  the  hospital.  The  entire  record  is  a  glo- 
rious one,  which  will  not  pale  by  comparison  with  that  of  any 
other  State. 

Nor  should  we  be  unmindful  of  the  fact,  which  affords  the 
strongest  assurance  of  the  indomitable  character  of  our  citi- 
zens, that  after  the  departure  to  Southern  fields  of  thousands 
of  our  choicest  spirits,  the  most  formidable  Indian  war  known 
in  the  history  of  the  Northwest  burst  suddenly  and  unexpect- 
edly upon  our  frontier  settlements,  and  that  it  was  closed  by 
the  utter  defeat  of  the  hostile  savages,  and  their  capture  or 
expulsion  from  the  State,  in  a  little  more  than  one  month  after 
the  first  outbreak,  by  Minnesota  men,  without  any  aid  from  the 
general  government,  or  from  a  single  soldier  outside  of  the 
limits  of  our  own  State.     Why,  then,  should  we  not  be   pr  oud 

of  Minnesota  and  her  people  ? 
36 


276  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

CONCLUSION. 

It  is  scarcely  possible  for  such  of  my  readers,  as  are  not  old 
settlers,  to  appreciate  the  change  made  within  the  last  two 
decades  in  this  Territory  and  State.  Even  as  late  as  1850 
there  were  neither  bridges  nor  ferries,  and  few  common  roads 
other  than  the  foot  trails  of  the  red  man  who  then  asserted  his 
ownership  of  all  the  country  west  of  the  Mississippi  except  the 
military  reservation  at  Fort  Snelling.  There  was  indeed  no 
apprehension  of  danger  from  the  Indians,  for  they  were 
generally  friendly,  treating  white  visitors  to  their  camp  with 
uniform  kindness  and  hospitality.  But  otherwise  the  traveler 
was  compelled  to  endure  all  of  the  privations,  and  at  certain 
seasons  of  the  year  perils  from  fire  and  flood  incident  to  a 
country  in  its  primeval  condition.  The  prairie  fires  especially 
in  those  parts  of  the  Territory  where  the  grass  was  long  and  dry 
were  verj'  much  dreaded,  for  it  was  diflScult  to  escape  from  them, 
when  they  were  driven  by  a  strong  wind.  The  old  voyageurs  were 
frequently  thus  overtaken,  and  although  loss  of  human  life  sel- 
dom resulted,  it  was  not  uncommon  for  a  person  to  sustain  per- 
sonal injury,  and  a  loss  of  animals  and  other  property.  In  con- 
trasting such  a  state  of  things  with  the  present  facilities  for 
travel,exemption  from  danger,  and  the  luxuries  to  be  obtained  in 
all  the  inhabited  portions  of  the  State,  you  may  be  enabled  to 
form  some  faint  conception  of  the  amazement  with  which  the 
transformation  is  regarded  by  the  old  settlers.  To  me,  I  must 
confess,  it  seems  more  like  a  pleasant  dream  than  a  reality. 

The  retrospect,  however  satisfactory  and  indeed  brilliant,  in 
view  of  the  rapid  advance  of  the  State  in  population  and 
wealth,  is  not  without  its  sad  and  melancholy  aspects  to  such 
of  the  old  settlers  as  yet  remain.  We  miss  from  our  com- 
panionship many  a  noble  specimen  of  manhood  who  struggled 
and  fought  with  us  for  the  prosperity  of  our  beloved  Minnesota. 
They  have  gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth,  and  those  of  us  who 
still  live  are  daily  admonished  that  our  course  also  will  soon  be 
finished.  It  is  a  source  of  great  comfort,  as  the  shadows  of 
death  approach  to  encompass  us,  to  be  assured  that  the  des- 
tinies of  the  commonwealth  we  have  loved  so  long  and  so  well 
will  be  left  in  the  hands  of  a  generation  competent  and  deter- 


REMINISCENCES    BY   HON.  H.  H.  SIBLEY.  277 

mined  to  control  them,  with  the  aid  of  a  good  Providence  in 
the  interests  of  morality  and  religion  for  the  welfare  of  our 
children  and  of  the  State  and  nation,  and  reflectively,  of  the 
whole  human  family. 
St.  Paul,  1873. 


NOTE  TO  THE  FOREGOING. 


The  committee  on  publication  will  be  pardoned  for  adding  to  Gen. 
Sibley's  valuable  and  interesting  reminiscences,  some  personal  account 
of  his  parentage,  early  life,  civil  and  military  services,  etc.  Our  re- 
quest to  Gen.  Sibley  for  the  foregoing  paper  included  the  above,  but 
the  motives  for  reserve  referred  to  in  the  beginning  of  his  article  has 
deterred  him  from  complying  with  that  request,  we  have,  therefore, 
anticipated  what  we  deem  to  be  a  general  wish,  and  have  briefly 
sketched  some  of  the  leading  points  of  Gen.  Sibley's  life  : 

Solomon  Sibley,  father  of  the  author,  was  a  prominent  pioneer  of 
the  northwest.  He  was  born  at  Sutton,  Mass.,  October  7,  1769,  and 
having  chosen  law  as  his  profession,  removed  to  Marietta,  O.,  in  1795, 
thence  to  Cincinuati,  O.,  and  ultimately  to  Detroit  in  1797.  In  1799 
he  was  elected  to  the  first  Territorial  Legislature  of  the  Northwest 
Territory,  at  Cincinnati.  Judge  Burnet,  the  historian,  states  that  he 
was  among  the  most  talented  men  in  the  House.  He  was  elected  a 
Delegate  to  Congress  from  Michigan  Territory,  in  1820,  and  Judge  of 
the  Supreme  Court  1824  to  1836.  He  was  also  United  States  Commis- 
sioner, and  in  company  with  Hon.  Lewis  Cass,  made  a  treaty  with  the 
Indians  for  most  of  the  territory  now  included  in  the  peninsula  of 
Michigan.  He  was  also,  for  some  time,  United  States  District  Attorney. 
He  died  April  4,  1846,  universally  lamented.  [See  Hildreth's  ''Lives 
of  Early  Settlers  of  Ohio,"  &c.] 

Judge  Sibley  married  Miss  Sarah  W.  Sproat,  at  Marietta,  October, 
1802.  Miss  Sproat  was  the  daughter  of  Col.  Ebenezer  Sproat,  a 
revolutionary  soldier,  and  his  wife,  formerly  a  Miss  Whipple,  daughter 
of  Commodore  Abraham  Whipple,  of  the  revolutionary  navy.  She 
was  born  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  January  28, 1782.  Her  parents  and  grand 
parents  settled  in  Marietta  in  1788,  so  that  her  whole  life  almost,  was 
spent  on  the  frontier.  She  was  a  woman  of  unusual  personal  beauty, 
and  rare  mental  accomplishments,  and  was,  by  a  wide  circle  of  Mends 
in  different  States,  greatly  beloved  and  respected.  She  died  at  Detroit 
on  January  22,  1861.  Mrs.  Ellet,  in  her  valuable  work,  "Pioneer 
Women  of  the  West,"  gives  a  full  account  of  the  dangers  and  hard- 


278  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

ships  to  which  Mrs.  Sibley  was  exposed  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  other 
trying  times  on  the  frontier. 

Henry  Hastings  Sibley  was  born  at  Detroit  February  20, 1811.  The 
history  of  the  northwest  about  that  time,  the  perilous  condition  of  the 
frontier,  the  savage  warfare  that  desolated  the  region,  the  siege  and 
surrender  of  Detroit,  and  the  hardships  experienced  by  the  whites  from 
1810  to  1815,  are  too  well  known  to  need  repetition.  The  Sibley 
family  bore  their  full  share  in  those  trials.  It  would  almost  seem  that 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  launched  into  a  career  destined  from  the 
start  to  be  one  of  adventure  and*  stirring  incidents,  repeating  the 
eventful  pioneer  life  of  his  ancestors.  Thus  hereditarily  predisposed, 
as  it  might  be  said,  to  a  life  of  close  contact  with  the  strange  and  ro- 
mantic elements  that  have  always  given  such  a  charm  to  frontier  life 
in  the  eyes  of  the  courageous  and  active,  his  innate  disposition 
received  a  still  further  bent  from  the  very  condition  of  society  in  his 
boyhood.  It  was  passed  in  a  region  favorable  for  field  sports,  and  the 
hardy  exploits  of  the  hunter  and  sailor,  where  every  inhabitant  was  a 
fireside  bard,  reciting  those  wonderful  epics  of  "hair  breadth  'scapes," 
and  "  accidents  by  flood  and  field,"  perils  and  feats  of  the  half-mythi- 
cal heroes  of  the  frontier,  legends  full  of  poetry  and  romance,  that 
seem  never  to  weary  the  listener. 

Young  Sibley  received  an  academical  education  in  his  boyhood,  and 
subsequently  enjoyed  two  years  private  tuition  in  the  classics  from 
Kev.  Mr.  Cadle,  a  fine  scholar.  His  father  had  destined  him  for  the 
profession  of  law,  and  at  about  the  age  of  16,  he  commenced  its  study 
in  Judge  S.'s  office.  After  a  year's  attention  to  this,  Henry  H  became 
convinced  that  his  natural  inclinations  and  tastes  would  lead  him  to  a 
more  active  and  stirring  life,  and  so  informed  his  father.  Judge  S. 
very  wisely  told  him  if  such  was  the  case,  to  pursue  his  own  wishes 
as  to  occupation,  a  decision  that  gave  to  Minnesota  her  honored  pio- 
neer, one  whose  history  is  so  interwoven  with  its  own,  that  to  write 
the  one,  is  almost  ipso  facto  to  record  the  other. 

About  the  age. of  17,  Henry  H.  went  to  Sault  Ste  Marie,  and  was 
engaged  there  in  mercantile  operations  for  about  a  year.  In  1829  he 
went  to  Mackinac,  and  entered  the  service  of  the  American  Fur  Com- 
pany as  a  clerk.  He  remained  at  this  post  five  years.  Here  he  be- 
came acquainted  with  a  number  of  the  prominent  pioneers  of  the  great 
Northwest,  and  further  acquired  a  desire  for  frontier  life.  During  this 
time  he  made  his  entry  into  official  life,  being  commissioned  by  Gover- 
nor Geo.  B.  Porter,  of  Michigan  Ter.,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Mich- 
ilimacinac  countJ^  His  commission  was  received  really  before  he  was 
of  age,  and  was  subsequently  executed  before  Michai^l  Dousman,  father 
of  the  late  H.  L.  Dousman.  In  1834,  Mr.  Sibley,  then  23  years  of  age, 
was  persuaded  by  Ramsey  Crooks  and  H.  L.  Dousman  to  come  to  what 
is  now  Minnesota.  [Seepage  194.]  ^  An  account  of  his  arrival  is  given 
in  his  own  article.  Duncan  Campbell,  one  of  the  Canadians  who  accom- 
panied him,  is  still  living  at  Mendota. 


REMINISCENCES    BY    HON.    H.    H.    SIBLEY.  279 

On  May  2d,  1843,  Gen.  Sibley  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Steele, 
at  Fort  Snelling.  Mrs.  Sibley  died  May  21,  1869— a  lady  of  rare  vir- 
tues and  accomplishments,  and  well  fitted  to  adorn  the  prominent  sta- 
tion in  society  which  she  occupied  for  so  many  years,  in  Washington 
City  and  Minnesota. 

Mr.  Sibley  held  for  many  years  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
Clayton  county,  Iowa,  in  which  Minnesota  west  of  the  Mississippi  River 
was  then  included.  His  jurisdiction  was  coextensive  with  what  now 
forms  all  of  the  State  west  of  that  river,  a  portion  of  Iowa  and  a  large 
part  of  the  present  Dakota  Territory.  Most  of  the  criminal  cases  oc- 
curring in  this  vast  region  during  that  period  were  brought  before 
him.  Prominent  among  these  were  the  murder  of  Hays,  at  St.  Paul, 
in  1838,  by  Phelan,  and  the  alleged  murder  of  young  Simpson, 
nephew  of  the  Arctic  explorer,  in  1840. 

On  October  30,  1848,  Gen.  Sibley  was  elected  by  the  people  of  what 
was  then  considered  as  *' Wisconsin  Territory  "—the  residue  of  the 
old  territory  of  that  name  left  after  the  State  was  admitted,  outside 
the  boundary  of  the  latter — as  their  Delegate  to  Congress.  He  was 
admitted  to  a  seat  after  much  trouble,  [see  Collections,  vol.  I,  p.  Gl,] 
and  during  the  session  was  enabled  to  secure  the  passage  of  a  bill  or- 
ganizing the  Territory  of  Minnesota,  which  became  a  law  March  3, 
1849.  In  the  fall  of  1849,  he  was  again  elected  Delegate  for  two  years, 
and  again  in  1851,  for  another  term.  In  the  fall  of  1853  he  declined  a 
further  nomination. 

In  1857,  Gen.  Sibley  served  as  a  member  and  President  of  the  Dem- 
ocratic branch  of  the  Constitutional  Convention,  and  was  soon  after 
nominated  and  elected  Governor.  Owing  to  the  delay  in  the  admission 
of  the  State,  he  was  not  inaugurated  until  May  24,  1858.  In  1871 
Gen.  Sibley  also  served  one  term  in  the  House  of  Representatives, 
and  is  at  the  present  time  a  Regent  of  the  State  University  and  Presi- 
dent of  the  State  Normal  Board. 

The  foregoing  is  a  brief  memorandum  of  Gen.  Sibley's  civil  services, 
and  we  desire  to  add  also  a  short  sketch  of  his  military  record. 

The  Sioux  outbreak  occurred  on  August  18,  1862,  and  on  August  19, 
Gen  Sibley  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Ramsey  to  the  command  of  the 
military  expedition,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel  commanding  in  the  field, 
but  really  with  the  powers  and  duties  of  a  General.  Arriving  at  the 
frontier,  everything  was  found  in  a  terrible  state.  New  Ulm  and 
other  towns  had  been  partly  burned,  hundreds  of  persons  massacred, 
the  country  laid  waste,  and  numbers  of  women  and  children  captive 
in  the  hands  of  the  brutal  savages.  Panic  reigned  everywhere.  The 
state  authorities  were  entirely  unprepared  to  meet  this  outburst  of 
savage  fury,  which  was  as  unexpected  as  it  was  sudden.  Arms  and 
ammunition  were  wanting ;  there  was  no  government  transportation 
on  hand ;  several  thousand  of  young  men  had  been  hurried  to  Southern 
fields,  leaving  only  a  few  hundred  raw  and  undisciplined  volunteers  to 


280  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

cope  with  the  numerous,  well-armed,  and  thus  far,  triumphant  enemy. 
Gen.  S.'s  first  object  was  to  protect  the  most  exposed  points,  until  he 
could  be  furnished  with  reinforcements  of  men,  munitions  of  war  and 
rations.  The  Indians  were  repulsed  at  New  Ulm  by  the  forces  under 
Col.  Flandreau  ;  at  Fort  Ridgely  and  at  Birch  Coolie  successfully, 
and  finally  completely  beaten  in  the  decisive  battle  of  Wood  Lake,  on 
September  23d,  by  Gen.  Sibley.  By  good  management,  strategy,  and 
his  thorough  knowledge  of  Indian  character,  Gen.  S.  was  enabled  to 
not  only  effect  the  release  of  the  white  captives,  nearly  250  in  number, 
but  to  take  prisoners  about  2,000  men,  women  and  children  of  the 
enemy.  He  then  constituted  a  military  commission,  with  Col.  Wm. 
Crooks  as  President,  by  which  the  Indian  warriors,  to  the  number  of 
more  than  400,  were  tried,  303  condemned  to  death  for  murder  and 
massacre,  and  others  to  various  terms  of  imprisonment  from  one  to 
ten  years,  for  pillage  and  robbery.  The  execution  of  the  condemned 
was  prevented  by  the  order  of  President  Lincoln,  at  the  earnest 
solicitation  of  some  Quakers  in  Pennsylvania,  and  so-called  "  humani- 
tarians "  in  New  England,  very  much  to  the  disgust  and  dissatisfaction 
of  the  people  of  Minnesota.  Finally,  Gen.  Sibley  was  ordered  by  the 
President  to  execute  38  of  the  criminals  convicted  of  rape  and  massacre 
of  the  whites,  which  was  done  on  the  21st  of  December,  1862,  at  Man- 
kato,  the  whole  number  being  hanged  on  one  scaffold.  The  remainder  of 
the  convicted  Indians  were  taken  to  Davenport  in  the  spring  follow- 
ing, where  they  were  kept  in  confinement  for  some  months.  A  large 
proportion  died  of  disease,  and  the  survivors  eventually  released,  and 
taken  to  Fort  Thompson,  on  the  Missouri  River,  where  they  rejoined 
their  families. 

On  September  29, 1862,  President  Lincoln  commissioned  Col.  Sibley 
as  a  Brigadier  General  for  gallant  services  in  the  field.  The  winter 
was  spent  in  forming  a  cordon  of  posts  and  garrisons,  with  a  line  of 
scouts  and  patrols  across  the  frontier.  A  new  military  department 
was  created,  embracing  Minnesota,  Dakota,  Iowa  and  Wisconsin. 
Gen.  Pope  was  placed  in  command  of  this,  but  he  was  here  in  person 
only  a  few  weeks,  his  headquarters  being  really  in  Milwaukee,  and  the 
management  of  all  military  movements  in  this  state  was  entirely  left 
to  Gen.  Sibley. 

Congress  having  reduced  the  number  of  Brigadier  Generals, it  seemed 
certain  that  Gen.  Sibley's  appointment  would  not  be  confirmed.  The 
Minnesota  Legislature  passed  the  following  Joint  Resolution  on  March 
5,  1863 : 

Whereas,  We  learn  with  regret  that  the  limitation  placed  by  Congress  on  the 
number  of  general  oflftcers  authorized  to  he  aopointed  for  the  volunteer  forces,  is 
likely  to  prevent  the  confirmation  of  Brigadier  General  Sibley  ;  and 

Whereas  The  good  results  attending  the  conduct  of  the  campaign  against  the 
Sioux  Indians  last  fall— the  safe  deliverance  of  the  white  captives,  the  surrender  of 
so  large  a  number  of  Indians,  the  protection  assured  to  the  frontier  ;  all  at  so  small 
a  loss  of  life  in  military  operations,  entitled  Gen.  Sibley  to  the  promotion  so 
promptly  bestowed  after  the  victory  of  Wood  Lake,  and  indicate  his  peculiar  fitness 
for  the  command  of  the  approaching  campaign  against  the  Sioux  ;  and 


REMINISCENCES   BY    HON.  H.  H.  SIBLEY.  281 

Whereas,  The  failure  of  Gen.  Sibley's  confirmation'would  now  occasion  the  en- 
tire loss  of  his  services  to  the  public  and  the  State  (inasmuch  as  he  holds  no  other 
commission  than  that  heretofore  tendered  by  the  President)  and  would  be  regarded 
by  the  troops  under  his  command,  and  the  people  of  the  State  Ecenerally,  as  a  misfor- 
tune, therefore 

Resolved  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Minnesota : 

That  we  respectfully  and  urgently  ask  the  President  to  appoint  Brigadier  General 
H.  H.  Sibley,  a  Brigadier  General  of  Volunteers,  and  to  assign  him  to  the  command 
of  the  district  of  Minnesota,  for  the  approaching  campaign  against  the  Sioux  Indiana . 

Gen.  Sibxey's  name  was,  however,  not  confirmed  by  the  Senate,  and 
deeming  his  withdrawal  from  the  service  a  serious  check  to  the  suc- 
cess of  military  operations  in  the  Department,  the  following  appeal 
was  presented  to  him  : 

Saint  Paxil,  March  19,  1863. 
To  Gen.  H.  H.  Sibley :  . 

Dear  Sir:  The  undersigned  beg  leave  to  express  their  disappointment  and  re- 
gret at  the  failure  of  the  Senate  to  confirm  your  nomination  as  Brigadier  General. 
But,  feeling  confident  of  your  re-appointment,  we  respectfully  urge  that  the  general 
welfare  and  immediate  business  interests  of  the  State  at  large,  demand  your  accept- 
ance, should  the  President  tender  it.  In  this  we  are  satisfaed  that  we  express  the 
views  of  all  classes  of  our  people.  At  this  most  critical  period,  we  should  deem 
your  retirement  from  the  field  a  calamity  which  would  certainly  weaken,  and  possi- 
bly destroy,  public  confidence,  now  so  happily  restored  in  the  border  counties,  un- 
der your  able  military  administration.  Believing  that  the  welfare  of  the  people  of 
Minnesota  will  outweigh  all  other  considerations,  and  overcome  any  personal  scru- 
ples which  might  otherwise  prompt  you  to  decline  a  re-appointment;  and  assuring 
you  of  our  confidence  and  esteem,  we  subscribe  ourselves: 

This  document  was  signed  by  over  50  of  the  leading  business  men 
and  firms  of  the  city.     Gen.  Sibley  made  the  following  reply  : 

Saint  Paul,  March  23,  1863. 

Gentlemen: — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  the  document  signed 
by  so  many  of  the  leading  men  and  firms  of  this  city,  in  which  you  urge  me  not  to 
decline  a  renomination  of  Brigadier  General,  if  tendered,  as  you  do  not  doubt  it  will 
be.  Since  that  was  written,  a  telegraphic  dispatch  from  the  Secretary  of  War  has 
reached  me,  announcing  ray  reappointment  by  the  President,  so  that  your  prognos- 
tications have  proved  to  be  correct. 

While  I  feel  duly  grateful  for  the  confidence  manifested  by  you  in  my  management 
of  military  affairs  in  this  District,  and  for  the  kind  expressions  of  regard  for  myself 
personally,  it  is  nevertheless  true,  tnat  I  rather  dreaded  than  desired  to  be  placed 
in  a  position,  by  the  act  of  the  President,  where  I  must  promptly  accept  or  decline 
the  honorable  station  to  which  he  has  so  repeatedly  nominated  me.  It  has  been 
neither  by  my  suggestion  nor  at  my  solicitation,  that  I  was  originally  named  for  the 
post,  nor  have  I  since  made  any  efiori  to  retain  it,  or  to  secure  a  confirmation  by  the 
Senate.  Indeed,  the  deranged  state  of  my  private  affairs,  which  have  been  almost 
totally  neglected  for  many  months,  apart  from  any  other  consideration,  afibrded  me 
a  very  strong  reason  against  my  remaining  longer  in  the  service. 

On  the  other  hand,  1  recognize  the  right  of  the  country  to  its  full  extent,  to  call 
upon  any  of  its  citizens  to  perform  a  public  duty,  at  whatever  sacrifice  to  himself, 
and  while  I  leel  too  much  diffidence  in  my  own  abilities  to  venture  to  hope  that  I  can 
meet  the  wishes  or  expectations  of  my  friends,  in  a  career  comparatively  so  new  to 
me,  I  cannot  disregard  the  general  sentiment  of  my  State,  as  signified  by  the  unani- 
mous resolutions  of  the  Legislature  asking  for  my  confirmation,  and  by  the  repre- 
sentations of  numerous  private  citizens.  I  shall  therefore  dispatch  to  the  military 
authorities  at  Washington,  my  respectful  acceptance  of  the  position  to  which  the 
President  has  generously  seen  fit  to  re-assign  me. 

It  would  not  be  proper  for  me  to  make  known  the  plans  of  the  contemphtted  cam- 
paign against  the  hostile  Sioux.  But  I  can  state,  without  any  impropriety,  that  the 
Major  General  commanding  the  Department  [Pope]  has  given  me  the  most  cheering 
assurances  of  support  in  their  prosecution,  and  manifests  a  determination  to  bring 
this  war  with  the  savages  to  a  speedy  conclusion,  by  the  employment  of  all  the 
means  at  his  disposal. 

The  proposed  expedition  will  be  a  tedious  and  laborious  one  to  all  connected  with 
it,  but  with  the  aid  of  the  gallant  regiments  under  my  command,  composed  of  our 
own  citizens,  all  of  whom,  officers  and  soldiers  alike,  are  anxious  to  take  the  field,  I 
humbly  trust  that  enough  will  be  accomplished  during  the  coming  season,  to  insure 
the  frontier  against  any  danger  from  Indian  forays  hereafter,  and  to  relieve  entirely 
the  apprehensions  of  our  citizens." 


282  MINNESOTA    HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS. 

The  Pioneer  of  March  23d,  1863,  referring  to  the  matter  said  : 

We  are  gratified  to  announce  that  on  Friday  last,  the  President  re-nominated  Gen. 
Sibley  to  the  position  which  he  has  filled  with  distinguished  honor  during  the  pe- 
riod ol  our  frontier  difliculties.  This  could  hardly  have  been  otherwise  His  ap- 
pointment as  Brigadier  was  conferred  on  him  unsought  and  unexpectedly,  while  he 
was  on  service  in  the  Indian  country,  and  in  compliment  to  the  mili'^ry  abilities 
which  he  had  t  ere  displayed.  Returning  from  the  field,  at  the  close  of  the  fall  cam- 
paign, his  administration  of  aflairs  in  the  District  of  Minnesota,  has  been  marked 
by  such  practical  good  judgment,  energy  and  economy,  as  to  call  forth  the  commen- 
dations of  the  heads  of  the'several  mili.ary  bureaus  with  which  he  has  had  any  con- 
nection, and  to  induce  the  President,  unsuggested  by  any  consideration  except  his  • 
own  merit,  to  send  his  name  for  conilrmation  as  a  Major  General.  The  lorced  re- 
duction of  the  list  of  Generals,  under  action  of  the  Senate,  compelled  the  President 
to  change  Gen.  Sibley's  nomination  to  that  of  a  Brigadier.  We  regret  to  learn  that 
there  are  doubts  as  to  Gen.  Sibley's  acceptance  of  this  re-nomination.  We  trust 
these  doubts  are  unfounded.  The  people  of  the  State,  without  distinction  of  party, 
or  regard  to  locality,  desire  his  continuance  in  command. 

Gen.  Sibley,  in  accordance  with  the  unanimous  wish  expressed, 
accepted  the  nomination  tendered  by  the  President,  and  proceeded 
with  the  organization  of  an  expedition  to  Devil's  Lake  and  vicinity, 
to  attack  and  defeat  the  Sioux  known  to  be  in  that  section.  The  ex- 
pedition left  Camp  Pope  June  16,  marched  into  Dakota,  had  three  bat- 
tles with  the  Indians,  besides  skirmishes,  and  advanced  as  far  as  the 
Missouri  River,  driving  the  hostile  bands  across  that  stream.  Having 
accomplished  its  objects  and  freed  the  Minnesota  frontier  from  all  ap- 
prehensions of  Indian  raids,  it  returned  to  Fort  Snelling  in  September. 

The  years  1864  and  1865  were  employed  in  conducting  measures  for 
the  defence  of  the  frontier,  which  resulted  in  completely  restoring 
safety  to  the  western  counties  and  depriving  the  savages  of  an  oppor- 
tunity to  molest  them.  November  29,  1865,  Gen.  Sibley  was  appointed 
Brevet  Major  General,  "  for  efficient  and  meritorious  services."  He 
was  relieved  from  the  commandof  the  District  of  Minnesota  in  August, 
1866,  by  order  of  the  President,  and  detailed  with  Major  Gen.  Curtis, 
United  States  Volunteers,  as  members  of  a  mixed  civil  and  military 
commission,  to  negotiate  treaties  with  the  hostile  Sioux,  and  other 
disaffected  bands  on  the  Upper  Missouri,  which  duty  was  successfully 
discharged,  treaties  having  been  made  at  Fort  Sully  with  the  Sioux, 
and  subsequently  ratified  by  the  Senate. 

We  have  thus  endeavored  to  condense  in  a  few  lines,  the  leading 
points  of  a  long  and  active  career  of  one  so  prominently  identified  with 
the  history  of  the  Northwest,  that  scarcely  more  than  an  outline  is 
giTen,  of  what  should  occupy  almost  a  volume  of  itself. 


THE  SIOUX  OR  DAKOTAS. 

A  SKETCH  OF  OUR  INTERCOURSE  WITH  THE  DA- 

KOTAHS  ON  THE  MISSOURI  RIVER,  AND 

SOUTHWEST  OF  THAT  STREAM. 

BY  REV.  THOS.  S.  WILLIAMSON,  M.  D. 

NOTE  BY  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  PUBLICATION, 

The  following  interesting:  and  valuable  paper  was  written  for  this  So- 
ciety, by  our  late  member,  Dr.  Williamson,  a  few  months  prior  to  his 
death,  and  was  at  that  time  ordered  to  be  published  in  our  Collections. 
As  the  Society  was  not  just  then  ready  to  begin  the  printing  of  this  por- 
tion of  the  volume,  permission  was  given  to  some  of  the  journals  of  our 
State,  who  had  made  the  request,  to  copy  it,  and  the  paper  first  saw  light 
in  that  shape.  Dr.  Williamson  was  a  candid  and  close  observer  of  the 
condition  of  Indian  affairs,  while,  from  his  full  and  minute  knowledge  of 
Indian  history,  character,  and  the  policy  of  cur  past  management  of  them, 
his  views  and  statements  are  valuable.  His  life  had  been  spent  in  labor- 
ing for  their  good  (as  will  be  found  fully  narrated  in  his  memoir  else- 
where in  this  volume);  and  long  after  he  was  laid  aside  from  active  work, 
he  was  busy  with  his  pen  in  appeals  to  have  justice  done  the  Indians,  by 
carrying  out  the  treaty  obligations  in  good  faith. 


P 


Whatever  relates  to  these  Dakotahs  is  interesting  to  the 
people  of  Minnesota,  among  other  reasons,  because  they  are 
descended  from  the  first  inhabitants  of  the  Minnesota  Valley 
of  whom  we  have  any  knowledge.  The  Sioux  who  inhabited 
this  valley  forty  years  ago,  said  that  when  their  ancestors  first 
came  to  the  lower  end  of  this  valley,  they  found  the  Cheyennes 
in  it.  Subsequently,  perhaps  many  years,  when  they  came 
and  took  possession  ol  it,  they  found  the  Iowa  villages  in  it, 
and  that  the  earth  mounds  found  in  Bloomington  and  else- 
37  (283) 


284  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

where  are  the  remains  of  the  earth-covered  lodges  of  these 
lowas  whom  they  expelled.  An  examination  of  these  mounds 
indicates  that  they  are  the  remains  of  such  earth-covered 
lodges  as  are  still  occupied  by  the  Mandans  and  some  other 
Indians  on  the  Big  Muddy.  The  Cheyennes  were  then  in 
the  upper  part  of  the  valley;  and  near  the  Yellow  Medicine 
a  fortification  is  still  plainly  visible,  which  it  is  said  was  made 
by  them  near  a  good  spring  of  water,  and  in  1853,  when  the  first 
plowing  for  the  Sioux  was  done  in  that  region,  large  quantities 
of  muscle  shells  were  turned  up  near  the  remains  of  this 
fortification,  indicating  that  the  ground  had  been  cultivated. 
The  Siqux  who  expelled  the  lowas,  a  kindred  race,  made  a 
league  with  the  Cheyennes,  who,  though  of  a  different  origin, 
have  ever  since  been  counted  a  part  of  the  Dakota  nation. 
Their  name  is  of  Dakota  origin,  signifying  "speaking  a  differ- 
ent language,"  and  was  given  them  because  all  the  other  Da- 
kotas  speak  the  same  language.  They  spell  the  name  Shai- 
enna  in  four  syllables,  which  we  have  abbreviated  to  two,  and 
ought  to  spell  Shyen,  as  we  pronounce  it. 

About  the  time  the  French  traders  first  came  among  the 
Sioux,  the  ancestors  of  those  now  beyond  the  Missouri  had 
launched  out  into  the  prairie,  and  gotten  their  present  name, 
Teton^  formerly  written  Tintonha^  dwellers  in  the  prairie. 
The  earlier  French  maps  place  them  on  the  Minnesota  river, 
and  southwesterly  to  the  Missouri.  Two  hundred  years  ago 
the  Shyens  probably  had  their  principal  residence  on  the  main 
western  branch  of  the  Red  River  of  the  North,  which  still  re- 
tains their  name.  Subsequently  they  went  on  to  the  Big  Mud- 
dy, one  or  two  of  the  tributaries  of  which  have  their  name. 

The  people  of  the  United  States  had  little  intercourse  with 
or  knowledge  of  the  Teton^  till  the  exploring  tour  of  Lewis 
and  Clark  to  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia,  about  1805.  They 
and  the  Yanktons  were  then  found  occupying  both  banks  of 
the  Missouri  for  a  long  distance.  The  knowledge  of  them 
thus  obtained,  led  to  a  commerce  very  profitable  to  our  people 
for  many  years.  "The  officers  of  the  Northwest  Fur  Com- 
pany bear  testimony  to  their  uniform  friendship  to  .the 
Whites.  They  say  that  it  was  the  boast  of  the  Sioux  in 
every  council  for  thirty-five  years  that  their  hands  had  not 


I 


I 


THE   SIOUX   OR   DAKOTAS.  285 

been  stained  with  the  blood  of  the  white  man."  [Report 
committee  on  Indian  Affairs,  1876,  page  338.]  In  1825  our 
government  made  a  treaty  with  the  Teton^  Yankton  and 
Yanktonias-Sioux,  promising  them  protection  and  such  bene- 
fits and  acts  of  kindness  as  may  be  convenient  and  the  presi- 
dent may  think  just  and  proper.  The  discovery  of  gold  in 
California  led  to  a  vast  emigration  over  the  plains,  which  by 
driving  off  and  destroying  the  game,  was  injurious  to  the  In- 
dians, and  in  September,  1851,  commissioners  of  our  govern- 
ment called  together  the  Sioux,  or  Dakotas,  Cheyennes,  and 
most  of  the  other  tribes  southwest  of  the  Missouri  and  east  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  at  Fort  Laramie  made  a  treaty 
with  them.  The  Indians  ceded  none  of  their  hunting  grounds 
at  this  time,  but  granted  us  the  right  to  establish  roads  and 
military  posts,  within  their  limits,  and  promised  to  abstain 
from  hostilities.  Our  commissioners  promised  them  protec- 
tion from  the  commission  of  all  depredations  by  the  people 
of  the  United  States,  and  $50,000  a  year  for  fifty  years.  When 
the  treaty  came  before  the  Senate,  they  struck  out  fifty  and 
inserted  ten  years.  This  amendment  was  never  submitted  to 
the  Indians.  Not  long  after,  gold  was  found  in  the  mountains 
of  Colorado,  and  our  people  rushed  in  and  seized  on  the  best 
parts  of  it,  in  violation  of  the  treaty;  and  in  February,  1861,  at 
Fort  Wise,  in  Kansas,  they  were  asked  for  and  ceded  enough 
of  their  possessions  to  make  two  great  States  of  the  Union, 
retaining  only  a  small  district  for  themselves.  The  Sioux 
were  not  parties  to  this  treaty,  but  the  Cheyennes  were.  They 
continued  peaceable  until  April,  1864,  when,  on  a  false  re- 
port, they  were  attacked  in  their  camp  at  daylight,  many  of 
them  killed,  and  their  property  destroyed,  and  in  November 
following,  a  camp  of  about  500  men,  women  and  children, 
who  had  been  persuaded  to  camp  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort 
Lyon,  under  promise  of  protection,  were  surrounded  by  the 
Colorado  cavalry  under  Colonel  .Chivii^gton".  All  he  caught 
were  horribly  massacred.  A  war  ensued  which  cost  the  gov- 
ernment thirty  millions  of  dollars,  and  brought  conflagration 
and  death  to  the  border  settlements.  The  utter  futility  of 
conquering  a  peace  having  been  demonstrated,  peaceful  agen- 
cies were  resorted  to.    Generals  Harnet,  SAN"B0Ri5r  and  others 


286  MIJS'KESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

were  appointed  for  the  purpose,  and  in  October,  1865,  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  the  Indians  to  sign  a  treaty,  when  the  war 
instantly  ceased. 

Previous  to  the  signing  of  this  treaty,  gold  had  been  dis- 
covered in  Montana,  and  emigrants  and  explorers  were  press- 
ing through  every  part  of  the  country  of  the  Dakotas  west  of 
the  Missouri,  killing  and  scaring  away  the  game.  According- 
ly when  they  were  assembled  this  year  to  make  a  new  treaty 
or  renew  the  old  one,  they  remonstrated  against  this,  insist- 
ing that  the  right  to  make  roads,  &c.,  formerly  granted,  had 
reference  only  to  the  country  south  of  the  Platte,  and  many 
of  the  chiefs  in  signing  the  treaties  protested,  saying,  the 
emigrants  must  go  either  south  of  the  Platte,  or  north  of  the 
Missouri,  for  it  would  be  ruinous  to  them,  if  it  passed  where 
they  were  accustomed  to  camp  in  winter,  namely,  near  the 
Black  Hills,  or  the  country  drained  by  the  Powder  river,  and 
Big  Horn;  and  a  part  of  their  people  who  occupied  the  latter 
country,  and  had  not  come  to  treat,  would  not  suffer  emi- 
grants to  pass  through  it.  They  nevertheless  abstained  from 
hostilities  through  the  following  winter,  though  suffering 
severely,  as  they  believed,  in  consequence  of  our  encroachments 
on  them.  The  commissioners  who  made  the  treaties  in  1865, 
in  their  report  say:  "Before  these  routes  between  the  Platte 
and  Yellowstone  are  established,  and  occupied  by  our  people, 
justice  to  the  Indians  and  safety  to  the  whites,  in  our  judg- 
ment, require  some  arrangement  in  the  form  of  compensation 
to  those  tribes  that  now  depend  on  the  game  of  that  country 
for  clothing  and  subsistence."  See  report  of  Secretary  of  In- 
terior, 1866,  page  172. 

No  such  arrangement  was  made.  In  March,  1866,  Gen. 
Pope,  commanding  the  department  of  the  JMissouri,  issued  an 
order  to  establish  military  posts  near  the  base  of  the  Big  Horn 
Mountains,  and  on  or  near  the  Yellowstone,  on  the  new  route 
to  Montana.  In  June,  Col.  Carrii^gtox  in  command  of  18th 
Infantry,  was  ordered  to  garrison  Forts  Reno,  Phil.  Kearney 
and  C.  F.  Smith,  in  the  country  which  the  Dakotas  refused 
to  yield.  They  protested  in  vain.  In  the  meantime  our  civil 
war  was  finished,  and  thousands  of  emigrants  rushed  through 
this  country.     In  July,  our  troops  having  proceeded  to  occu- 


f 


THE   SIOUX   OR  DAKOTAS.  287 

py  the  country,  war  commenced,  which  culminated  on  the 
21st  of  December  in  the  destruction  of  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Fettermait  and  his  soldiers.  The  Sioux  having  thus  shown 
their  ability,  as  well  as  will,  to  hold  this  country,  in  July  fol- 
lowing. Congress  determined  to  endeavor  to  obtain  by  peace- 
able means  what  we  were  unable  to  gain  by  war,  and  passed  an 
act  to  appoint  what  has  been  called  the  Peace  Commissioners, 
which  act  was  approved  July  20th,  1867.  Men  of  the  high- 
est standing  in  our  nation  were  appointed  on  this  commission, 
namely:  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  and  Chairman  of 
Senate  committee  of  Indian  Affairs,  and  Generals  Shermait, 
Kearney,  &c.  From  their  report,  mad^  in  January,  1868, 
many  of  the  above  statements  are  extracted.  This  commis- 
sion succeeded  in  making  treaties  with  some  bands  of  the 
Sioux,  but  could  not  induce  those  organized  in  active  hostili- 
ties to  come  to  the  council,  namely  the  Sioux  and  Cheyennes 
of  the  North.  Red  Cloud,  then  regarded  as  the  principal 
chief,  sent  them  word  that  his  war  against  the  whites  was  to 
save  the  Powder  River  Valley,  the  only  hunting  ground  left 
his  nation  from  intrusion.  That  whenever  the  military  gar- 
risons of  Fort  Phil.  Kearney  and  Fort  C.  F.  Smith  were 
withdrawn,  the  war  on  his  part  would  cease,  and  he  would 
then  meet  them  in  council.  The  commissioners  in  their 
report  show  that  garrisons  were  sustained  there  at  great 
expense,  and  utterly  failed  of  accomplishing  the  object  for 
which  they  were  established  and  recommended  that  the  de- 
mands of  the  Indians  be  complied  with.  The  next  year,  in 
accordance  with  these  recommendations,  a  treaty  was  made 
and  signed  hy^Red  Cloud,  and  the  garrisons  withdrawn,  and 
the  war  ceased.  I  have  never  seen  this  treaty.  The  commis- 
sioner of  Indian  affairs  in  his  report  for  1875,  page  fifth,  speak- 
ing of  it  says  :  "  The  treaty  of  1868  also  stipulated  that  the 
country  north  of  the  North  Platte  River,  in  Nebraska,  and 
east  of  the  summit  of  the  Big  Horn  Mountains,  in  Wyoming, 
should  be  held  and  considered  unceded  Indian  territory,  and 
no  white  person  or  persons  should  be  permitted  to  settle  upon 
or  occupy  any  portion  of  the  same,  nor  without  the  consent 
of  the  Indians  first  had  or  obtained,  should  pass  through  the 
same."     The  Sioux  have  constantly  affirmed  that  this  provis- 


288  Miiq^iffESOTA  historical  collections. 

ion  was  apDlicable  to  what  is  called  their  permanent  reserva- 
tion, and  all  the  country  west  of  it  to  the  Yellowstone  River, 
including  what  is  called  the  Powder  River  country.  The 
withdrawal  of  our  garrisons  from  that  country,  and  other  facts 
not  necessary  to  be  mentioned  here,  show  that  officers  of  our 
government  so  understood  it.  If  we  had  observed  this  treaty 
as  faithfully  as  the  Dikotas,  we  would  have  had  no  war  with 
them  from  that  day  to  this.  The  treat}^  was  made  as  early  in 
1868,  as  the  Indians  could  be  got  together.  We  find  that  in 
a  report  made  by  Gen.  W.  S.  Harney,  (one  of  the  commis- 
sioners who  made  the  treaty)  Nov.  23,  1868,  then  in  charge  of 
the^Sioux  Indians,  he  says  :  "  I  am  perfectly  satisfied  with 
the  success  which  has  attended  the  commencement  of  this 
work,  and  can  unhesitatingly  declare  that  to  secure  perpetual 
peace  with  the  Sioux  Indians  it  is  only  necessary  to  fulfill  the 
terms  of  the  treaty  made  by  the  Peace  Commission.''  This 
Commission  in  their  report  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  then  said  :  "  If  the  lands  of  the  white  man  are  taken, 
civilization  justifies  him  in  resisting  the  invader.  Civilization 
does^more  than  this — it  brands  him  as  a  coward  and  a  slave,  if 
he  submits  to  the  wrong.  Disregarding  this  and  the  articles 
of  the  treaty  which  acknowledged  the  right  of  the  Dakotas 
to  hunt  south  of  the  North  Platte  for  many  years,  a  ad  forbid 
any  of  our  soldiers  going  north  of  it,  on  the  unceded  lands, 
in  June,  1869,  General  Sheridan,  in  an  official  order,  says  : 
''  All  Indians  outside  the  well-defined  limits  of  their  proper 
reservations  are  under  the  original  and  exclusive  jurisdiction 
of  the  military  authority,  and  as  a  rule  will  be  considered 
hostile."  See  report  of  Indian  Commissioii,  published  in 
appendix  of  Report  of  Indian  Affairs,  pp.  339,  340. 

Treating  these  Indians  as  enemies  in  the  unceded  territory 
south  and  west  of  the  reservation  which  we  had  solemnly 
promised  not  to  invade,  led  to  some  conflicts,  but  not  to  war. 
In  1874,  General  Custer  made  an  expedition  to  the  Black  Hills. 
It  was  done  in  plain  direct  violation  of  the  treaty.  The  Sioux 
protested  strongly  as  they  could  in  words,  declaring  that  its 
object  was  stealing  their  lands.  Subsequent  events  have 
shown  that  Custer  and  those  with  him,  were  what  we  call 
spies,  who,  according  to  the  laws  of  nations,  may  be  justly  put 


THE  SIOUX  OR  DAKOTAS.  289 

to  death.  So  the  Indians  viewed  them,  but  as  he  was  a  great 
military  chief,  and  proclaimed  that  he  came  peaceably  and 
would  do  them  no  harm  unless  they  began  the  war,  they  did 
not  molest  him  or  any  of  his  followers.  As  was  expected, 
gold  was  found,  and  immediately  miners  rushed  in.  At  first 
the  Indians  could  have  easily  destroyed  these,  or  have  driven 
them  awaj^  but  the  officers  of  our  government  advised  them 
not  to  do  this,  promising  that  if  the  Sioux  would  not  molest 
them,  the  United  States  army  would  drive  them  out,  and  keep 
them  out.  For  months,  parts  of  our  army  did  make  a  show 
of  doing  this,  till  miners  enough  had  got  into  the  Hills  to  de- 
fend themselves.  Then  the  military  was  withdrawn.  Presi- 
dent Grant,  in  apology  for  this,  says  our  army  could  not  be 
used  effectuallj'  to  keep  the  miners  out,  because  of  mutiny  and- 
desertions.  He  accordingly  appointed  Commissioners  to  buy 
or  lease  the  Hills.  These  Commissioners  met  the  Indians  in 
council  in  September,  1875,  and  as  the  Indians  were  not 
living  in  the  Hills,  thought  them  of  little  value,  and  of- 
fered for  them  much  less  than  the  Sioux  were  willing  to  sell 
for.  Those  Black  Hills  abounded  in  game,  and  were  the  only 
region  in  the  vast  territory  claimed  by  more  than  20,000 
Dakotas,  in  which  they  could  sustain  themselves  for  a  single 
winter,  if  our  government  should  cease  to  give  them  rations, 
and  though  much  of  them  is  rocky  and  barren,  surveys  show 
that  without  the  gold,  there  is  agricultural  lands  amply  suffi- 
cient for  the  support  of  a  larger  population,  and  also  abund- 
ance of  wood.  It  is  thought  by  those  best  acquainted  with 
what  has  been  called  their  permanent  reservation,  that  there 
is  no  other  portion  of  it,  in  which  men  can  live  by  agriculture. 
Knowing  this,  it  is  not  strange  they  set  a  high  value  on  them. 
Seeing  this  valuable  property  wrested  from  them  in  plain  vio- 
lation of  solemn  treaties,  they  were  greatly  grieved,  and  some 
of  them  thinking  forbearance  no  longer  a  virtue,  killed  some 
of  the  intruders.  Would  not  we,  in  like  circumstances,  have 
done  the  same?  A  large  majority  disapproved  of  these  hostile 
deeds,  and  remained  peaceable.  Hence  those  who  had  com- 
menced hostilities,  were  ashamed  or  afraid  to  return  to  the 
agencies,  and  draw  rations,  and  went  to  join  Sitting  Bull  and 
others  in  the  Powder  River  country,  who  had  not  signed  the 


290  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

treaty,  choosing  to  support  themselves  by  hunting,  rather 
than  depend  on  our  government  for  rations.  But  gold 
had  been  found  in  the  Big  Horn  Mountains,  and  General 
Sheridan,  v^^hile  under  orders  to  keep  the  intruders  out  of  the 
Black  Hills,  which  were  in  the  reservation,  wrote  a  letter  which 
was  published,  in  which  he  mentions  facts  which  make  it  prob- 
able that  the  gold  fields  in  the  Big  Horn  Mountains  are  richer 
than  those  in  the  Black  Hills.  The  evident  design  of  the  let- 
ter was,  to  divert  the  miners  from  the  Black  Hills  to  the  Big 
Horn  Mountains,  and  thus  diminish  the  labors  of  our  army. 
He  probably  was  ignorant  that  these  mountains  were  u needed 
territory,  and  that  by  solemn  treaty  we  had  promised  the  Indi- 
ans, that  no  white  man,  without  leave  previously  obtained, 
should  go  into  the  country  east  of  their  summit.  His  letter 
did  not  arrest  the  invasion  of  the  Black  Hills,  but  convinced 
many  that  there  was  gold  in  the  Big  Horn  Mountains,  some 
of  whom  tried  to  get  at  it,  whom  the  Indians  did  not  spare, 
and  acting  on  the  principal  of  doing  to  others  as  they  do  to 
us,  Crazy  Horse  and  some  otheis  made  raids  on  the  ranches 
of  Wyoming.  This  was  disapproved  of  by  Sitting  Bull  and 
most  of  the  roaming  Sioux,  as  well  as  those  at  the  agencies, 
but  how  could  they,  without  government  or  army,  restrain 
their  people  from  robbery,  when  we,  with  both,  could  not 
restrain  ours? 

November  9,  1875,  E.  C.  Watkins,  inspector  of  Indian 
agencies,  made  complaint  to  the  Indian  Bureau,  that  Sitting 
Bull  and  other  Indians  in  the  unceded  territory,  who  had  come 
under  his  observation  in  his  recent  tour,  were  making  raids 
against  friendly  Indians  and  the  white  settlers  of  Montana. 
He  mentions  no  instance  or  proof  of  their  raids  on  the 
whites,  and,  as  the  courts  of  our  country  have  constantly  de- 
clared we  have  no  right  to  punish  one  Indian  for  murdering 
another,  even  when  far  from  their  reservations,  it  is  hard  to 
see  how  we  are  under  obligations  to  make  war  on  them  for 
fighting  each  other  in  their  own  country.  His  whole  re- 
port reflects  the  views  of  the  miners  who  coveted  the  gold  of 
the  Indians.  He  says  the  true  policy  is  to  send  troops 
against  them  in  winter,  the  sooner  the  better,  and  whip 
them  into  subjection.      This  was  done.     December  3d,  the 


I 


THE  SIOUX  OR  DAKOTAS.  291 

Secretary  of  the  Interior  writes  that  he  had  instructed  the 
Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  to  notify  Sitting  Bull  and 
others  outside  their  reservation  that  they  must  remove  to  the 
reservation  before  the  31st  of  January,  1876,  and  if  they 
neglect  so  to  do  they  will  be  reported  to  the  War  Depart- 
ment as  hostile  Indians.  The  honorable  secretary  entirely 
ignored  several  very  important  facts,  namely:  1.  That  these 
Sioux  were  in  an  unceded  country,  into  which  we  had  solemnly 
promised  no  white  man  should  go  without  their  permission. 
2.  That  we  had  already  taken  from  them  the  Black  Hills, 
the  best  part  of  the  reservation  of  which  he  speaks,  and  the 
only  part  on  which  it  was  possible  to  subsist  themselves  in 
winter.  3.  That  there  were  already  more  Sioux  at  the  agen- 
cies than  Congress  had  made  appropriations  for  feeding  there. 
4.  That  it  was  impossible  to  convey  this  information  to 
said  Indians  in  time  for  them  to  comply  with  the  orders.  5. 
That  more  than  100  miles  of  bleak,  barren  prairie  lay  be- 
tween these  Indians  and  the  nearest  agencies,  and  that  it  was 
impossible  for  women  and  ctiildren  to  cross  this  in  winter 
without  great  suffering,  and  probable  loss  of  life. 

The  Secretary  of  War  and  his  subordinates  were  not  slow 
in  making  arrangements  to  whip  these  Indians.  His  report 
to  the  President  as  to  the  origin  of  the  war  shows  that  he 
knew  but  little  about  them,  and  was  entirely  ignorant  of  our 
treaty  relations  with  them.  If  some  of  the  officers  were  bet- 
ter informed,  they  were  bound  to  obey  orders. 

As  soon  as  he  could  get  ready,  in  February  or  March,  Gen- 
ral  G.  Crook,  an  officer  of  great  experience,  set  out  to  Pow- 
der River  Valley,  and  struck  and  destroyed,  according  to  his 
report,  the  village  of  Crazy  Horse. 

Dr.  J.  W.  Dajs^iels,  for  many  years  Indian  agent  and  in- 
spector, and  one  of  the  commissioners  who  in  1876  obtained 
from  the  Indians  the  cession  of  the  Black  Hills,  says  this  vil- 
lage was  composed  of  friendly  Indians  from  the  Red  Cloud 
Agency,  who,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  provisions  there,  had 
obtained  permission  to  go  on  a  buffalo  hunt,  and  were- return- 
ing loaded  with  meat  and  robes.  Being  surprised,  they 
abandoned  their  baggage  and  fled  for  their  lives.  The  bag- 
gage was  destroyed   and  the   horses  captured.      After  the 


MtN-XESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

women  and  children  escaped,  the  men  returned  and  recap- 
tured their  ponies.  The  weather  was  so  bitter  cold  that  Gen- 
eral Crook  returned  to  Fort  Laramie. 

Our  army  is  composed  of  brave  men,  as  well  equipped  and 
skillful  in  making  war,  as  are  to  be  found  among  civilized 
men.  Inspector  Watkin^s  had  spoken  of  1,000  men  as  suffi- 
cient to  whip  these  savages  into  subjection.  Our  able  Gen- 
erals Shermai^  and  Sheridan^  judged  more  wisely.  Prepa- 
rations were  made  on  a  large  scale.  As  early  in  May  as  pos- 
sible, three  columns  of  our  army,  as  strong  as  could  be  main- 
tained in  that  inhospitable  region,  were  put  in  motion  from 
the  south,  northeast,  and  west,  to  annihilate  Sitting  Bull 
and  his  comrades.  He  sent  word  to  the  Red  Cloud  Agency 
that  if  arrangements  were  made  to  pay  for  the  Black  Hills, 
or  vacate  them,  he  would  come  in  and  surrender;  that  he  did 
not  wish  to  fight  the  Big  Knives^  but  if  they  came  to  fight 
him  in  his  own  country  he  would  fight. — [See  Letter  of  W. 
Vandever,  Inspector,  from  Red  Cloud  Agency,  June,  1876, 
published  in  Pioneer-Press.^ 

On  the  25th  of  June  the  gallant  Custer,  with  twelve  com- 
panies of  cavalry,  surprised  and  nearly  surrounded  his  camp. 
So  sudden  was  the  onset,  that  it  was  impossible  for  the 
women  and  children  to  save  themselves  by  flight,  and  a 
Sioux  man  has  never  been  known  to  save  himself  when  his 
wife,  mother  or  child  was  in  danger.  The  result  is  known. 
Custer  and  more  than  260  of  his  men  were  slain,  fighting 
bravely.  The  failure  of  the  Indians'  ammunition  and  the 
timely  arrival  of  General  Gibboi^'s  command,  alone  saved 
Major  Ren"0  and  the  other  men  of  Custer's  command,  from 
sharing  his  fate. 

Since  the  fall  of  Custer,  Sittifig  Bull  and  his  associates 
have  never  had  ammunition  enough  for  a  regular  battle,  and 
have  avoided  fighting  whenever  it  was  possible.  To  supply 
their  urgent  wants  they  have  captured  supply  trains  and  some- 
times ranches,  driving  off  the  horses  and  cattle.  If  they 
were  bloodthirsty,  revengeful  savages,  they  might  have  done 
us  vast  injury  by  dispersing  and  murdering  defenseless  fami- 
lies on  the  frontiers  of  Montana,  Wyoming  and  Nebraska* 
Bat  this  they  have  not  done.     The  avowed  object  of  the  war 


THE   SIOUX   OR   DAKOTAS.  293. 

on  these  people  was  to  compel  them  to  come  on  to  the  reser- 
vation, the  better  part  of  which  we  have  taken  from  them. 
Since  the  destruction  of  Custer,  when  their  losses  were  prob- 
ably greater  than  ours,  many  hundreds  of  them  at  different 
times  attempted  to  reach  this  reservation,  and  thus  get  out 
of  the  war.  Whenever  the  trails  of  such  detachments  have 
been  discovered,  our  cavalry  have  hotly  pursued  them  and  re- 
lentlesly  warred  on  them.  Our  officers  tell  us  of  overtaking 
these  poor,  fleeing  wretches,  of  firing  on  them,  of  capturing 
and  destroying  their  tents  and  baggage,  and  capturing  their 
ponies,  intimating  that  those  who  were  not  killed,  escaped 
with  nothing  except  the  clothes  they  had  on  at  the  time. 
Thus,  when  on  the  inhospitable  prairie,  far  from  any  place 
where  supplies  can  be  obtained,  women  and  children  are  driv- 
en from  their  beds  and  tents  in  the  night,  deprived  of  all 
their  food  and  other  property.  Since  the  severe  cold  of  win- 
ter set  in,  one  of  these  parties  on  their  way  to  the  reservation, 
approached  the  camp  of  General  Miles.  They  were  doubt- 
less suffering  keenly  from  cold  and  hunger,  and  in  no  condi- 
tion to  fight.  Five  chiefs  went  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  make 
known  who  they  were,  and  probably  hoping  to  obtain  some 
much  needed  supplies.  The  weather  was  too  cold  for  Gen- 
eral Miles  and  his  officers  to  be  out,  and  they  knew  nothing 
of  the  flag  of  truce,  till  the  bearers  of  it  were  murdered  by  his 
faithful  allies,  the  Crows,  who  doubtless  did  what  they 
thought  Gen.  Miles  wished  them  to  do.  They  were  mis- 
taken, for  the  telegram  from  which  so  much  of  this  account 
as  relates  to  him  is  taken,  says  he  was  indignant,  not  only 
because  of  the  treachery,  but  because  of  the  information  he 
might  have  got  from  these  chiefs.  It  seems  that  the  Crows 
soon  made  ample  amends  for  their  mistake,  by  supplying  the 
wanted  information;  for  another  telegram;  published  at  the 
same  time  with  the  above,  says  that  on  the  next  day,  five 
companies  of  Miles'  command  surprised  and  captured  the 
Indian  camp,  and  that  it  was  believed  that  in  their  flight 
they  had  saved  scarcely  anythmg  except  the  clothes  they 
had  on.  They  were  in  no  condition  to  fight,  and  it  (ioes  not 
appear  that  they  attempted  any  resistance.  Are  any  of  the 
Turkish  barbarities  worse  than  this  driving  off  hundreds  of 


294  MINN'ESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

women  and  children  to  perish  of  cold  and  hunger,  after  mur- 
dering their  protectors  while  bearing  a  flag  of  truce  ?  Dr.  J, 
W.  Daniels,  from  whom  I  get  my  information  about  this 
detachment  ol  Indians,  says  he  was  well  acquainted  with  two 
of  these  murdered  chiefs,  who  had  long  been  firm  friends  of 
the  whites,  and  very  useful  in  preserving  order  at  the  Red 
Cloud  agency  on  various  occasions,  and  were  there  last  sum- 
mer and  took  part  in  the  council  with  the  United  States 
Commissioners,  and  after  signing  the  agreement  went  to 
bring  in  the  people  who  were  with  them,  and  were  on  their 
way  to  the  reservation  when  they  were  murdered. 

Don.  Cameron,  in  his  letter  of  July  the  8th  to  the  Presi- 
dent concerning  this  war  says,  ''The  present  military  opera- 
tions are  not  against  the  Sioux  nation  at  all,  but  against  cer- 
tain hostiles  of  it,  who  defy  the  government.  No  part  of 
these  operations  are  on  or  near  the  Sioux  reservation,"  How 
to  reconcile  this  with  the  military  coming  to  the  agencies  on 
the  reservation  and  taking  from  those  who  had  not  left  it, 
but  been  peaceable  all  the  time,  their  ponies  and  guns,  thus 
taking  from  them  their  only  means  of  supporting  themselves, 
I  do  not  see. 

The  most  numerous,  and  until  recently  the  most  powerful 
tribe  of  Indians  within  our  borders,  are  now  completely 
crushed.  We  have  taken  from  most  of  them  everything  ex- 
cept life.  They  are  now  poor,  miserable  beggars,  unable  to 
avenge  their  wrongs,  and  they  know  it.  They  will  never 
again  war  on  us.  The  negroes  never  warred  on  us,  yet  Jef- 
ferson says,  "I  tremble  when  I  remember  that  God  is  just." 
Can  we,  who  are  familiar  with  the  history  of  our  late  civil 
war,  say  this  trembling  was  without  cause,  or  that  we  have 
no  cause  to  tremble  on  account  of  our  treatment  of  the  Indi- 
ans? 

St.  Peter,  March  15,  1877. 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  S.  Y.  McMASTERS,  D.  D. 

BY  EARLE  S.  GOODRICH. 
[Read  at  a  meeting  of  the  Society,  Dec.  13, 1875,  and  ordered  to  be  printed.] 

The  Rev.  Dr.  SxERLma  Yancey  McMasters,  D.  D.,  LL.  D., 
whose  death  occurred  at  St.  Paul,  on  the  5th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1875,  was  born  at  Guilford  Court  House,  North  Carolina, 
on  the  9th  of  December,  1813. 

The  family  of  Dr.  McMasters  was  of  Scotch  descent.  His 
education  was  completed  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina, 
whence  he  graduated  with  distinguished  honors.  His  studies 
after  graduation  were  in  the  line  of  medicine,  the  profession 
of  which  he  intended  to  adopt;  but  his  religious  convictions, 
which  had  been  early  awakened  and  seduously  fostered,  led 
him  to  abandon  that  for  the  more  sacred  calling  of  the  min- 
istry. His  theological  studies,  in  turn,  induced  a  change  of 
religious  faith,  from  Methodism  to  Episcopalianism ;  the  rea- 
son for  which  step  he  set  forth  in  a  volume  entitled,  "A 
Methodist  in  Search  of  the  Church." 

Of  his  ministerial  career  in  his  native  state,  we  have  little 
record,  beyond  the  fact  that  his  earnest  character  and  ripe 
scholarship  gave  him  reputation  beyond  its  borders,  and  oc- 
casioned his  call,  in  1846,  to  the  rectorship  of  St.  Paul's 
Church,  at  Alton,  Illinois.  His  success  at  Alton,  was  of  the 
most  gratifying  character,  and  under  his  ministrations  his 
parish  became  a  leading  one  in  Southern  Illinois.  But  his 
scholarly  repute  and  his  zeal  in  educational  affairs,  caused  his 
services  to  be  demanded  in  other  spheres  of  usefulness,  and  in 
1851  he  accepted  a  professorship  in  the  Western  Military  In- 
stitute of  Kentucky.  The  bonds  of  affection  which  united 
him  with  the  people  of  Alton,  however,  were  of  those  not 
easily  broken;  and  yielding  to  their  solicitations,  he  resigned 
his  professorship  at  the  end  of  a  year,  and  returned  to  his 


296  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

former  home.  Here  lie  remained  until  1858,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Palmyra,  Mo.,  to  take  the  presidency  of  St.  Paul's 
College,  located  at  that  place. 

Dr.  McMasters  was  at  the  head  of  this  college  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  rebellion;  but,  though  of  Southern  birth, 
breeding  and  association,  his  patriotism  was  not  bounded  by 
sectional  lines,  and  by  all  the  means  which  his  profession 
permitted,  he  opposed  the  policy  of  secession.  His  earnest- 
ness in  this  respect  drew  upon  him  the  hatred  of  the  rebels  of 
Northern  Missouri,  and  especially  of  Palmyra,  and  he  was 
marked  for  their  vengeance.  His  life  was  publicly  threatened, 
and  at  last  his  house  was  placed  under  constant  surveillance. 
In  this  emergency,  he  received  word  from  a  friendly  railroad 
official  that,  on  a  given  night  and  hour,  an  engine  would  be 
sent  to  a  point  near  the  town  for  his  rescue.  Providentially 
the  night  named  was  dark  and  tempestuous,  and  he  was  able 
to  elude  his  enemies  and  avail  himself  of  the  means  of  escape. 
Resigning  the  presidency  of  his  college,  he  repaired  to  Illi- 
nois, and  offered  his  services  to  the  governor  of  that  state. 
They  were  accepted,  and  he  was  appointed  chaplain  of  the 
27th  Illinois  Infantry.  He  remained  in  that  position  until 
his  failing  health  compelled  his  resignation.  The  disease 
which  caused  his  death  was  contracted  while  in  that  service, 
and  thus  his  name  is  one  more  added  to  the  long  roll  of  those 
whose  lives  have  been  prematurely  sacrificed  at  the  shrine  of 
fratricidal  strife.  His  knowledge  of  medicine  enabled  him  to 
be  of  special  use  during  his  army  experience.  He  was,  prob- 
ably, as  unornamental  a  chaplain  as  belonged  to  either  army, 
federal  or  confederate;  but  through  the  sickly  camps  and 
crowded  hospitals  of  the  southwest,  whither  his  duty  called 
him,  his  medical  skill  and  priestly  presence  were  a  boon  and 
a  benediction;  and  many  who  owe  their  lives  to  his  ministra- 
tions, have  wept  over  his  death,  as  the  loss  to  them  of  their 
preserver,  benefactor  and  friend. 

In  1863,  Dr.  McMasters  came  to  Minnesota,  and  located 
at  St.  Paul,  as  rector  of  Christ  Church.  This  position  he  re- 
tained up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  When  he  located  here  his 
parish  was  in  feeble  condition,  in  debt,  and  occupying  an  in- 
ferior building  on  Cedar  street,  between  Third  and  Fourth. 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  S.  Y.  MCMASTERS,  D.  D.  297 

• 

Under  his  ministrations  the  society  rapidly  grew  in  member- 
ship, requiring  larger  accommodations,  and  in  1866,  the 
stone  structure,  corner  of  Fourth  and  Franklin  streets,  was 
completed  and  occupied.  In  addition  to  the  onerous  labor 
of  his  recorship,  Dr.  McMasters  performed  the  functions  of 
Registrar  of  the  Diocese  and  Rural  Dean,  positions  of  trust, 
and  placing  him  next  in  authority  to  the  Bishop.  He  also 
represented  the  diocese  in  all  the  general  conventions  of  the 
church  that  met  during  his  residence  here.  For  ten 
years  he  was  a  member  of  the  executive  council  of  the  Min- 
nesota Historical  Society,  in  which  institution  he  took  a 
lively  interest.  In  1871,  Governor  Horace  Austin  appointed 
him  to  the  State  Normal  School  Board,  a  position  he  re- 
signed in  1873,  after  accepting  that  of  State  Commissioner  to 
the  Vienna  Exposition,  for  which  place  he  left  in  June  of 
that  year.  After  performing  the  duties  incumbent  on  him 
there,  he  extended  his  journey  to  the  Holy  Land,  and  re- 
mained abroad  about  six  months.  During  his  connection 
with  this  diocese  he  regularly  lectured  before  the  Divinity 
School  at  Faribault,  and  delivered  occasional  addresses  upon 
subjects  connected  with  education. 

Dr.  McMasters  was  a  member  of  the  A.\  F.'.  and  A.*.  M.*., 
in  which  he  advanced  to  the  thirty-third  degree — a  degree 
held  by  but  few  members  of  the  Order  in  Minnesota,  and 
which  was  conferred  upon  him  for  distinguished  services  to 
the  Order. 

Dr.  McMasters  was  twice  married  ;  his  second  wife,  after 
long  years  of  loving,  trusting  companionship,  being  left  be- 
hind to  mourn  his  loss.  His  first  wife  was  Miss  Catharine 
Montgomery,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  where  the  marriage 
took  place  in  1839.  Her  death  followed  in  1847,  while  her 
husband  was  in  charge  of  the  church  at  Alton.  By  this  mar- 
riage four  children  were  born,  only  two  of  whom  are  now  liv- 
ing— a  daughter,  the  wife  of  Chief  Justice  Gilfillan,  and  a 
son.  Dr.  James  Montgomery  McMasters,  now  practicing  his 
profession  at  Sauk  Centre,  in  this  State.  In  1848  Dr.  Mc- 
Masters married  for  his  second  wife  Miss  Jflia  Russell 
Bowers,  of  Alton,  111.    Two  children  were  born  of  this  mar- 


298  MIJSTNESOTA  HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

* 

riage— Sterling  Russell  McMasters,  residing  at  St.  Paul, 
and  a  daughter  who  died  in  infancy. 

Such  is  a  brief  sketch  of  the  uneventful  incidents  in  the 
life  of  one  who  consecrated  great  powers  to  the  performance 
of  simple  duties.  With  every  competency  of  intellect  and 
learning  and  moral  worth,  he  was  unambitious,  seeking  no 
preferment  in  his  church,  but  modestly  willing  to  work  in  the 
place  whereunto  he  was  called.  But,  fortunately,  great  men 
do  not  need  the  aids  of  high  official  position  to  make  their 
greatness  felt ;  for  the  forces  of  intellect,  like  those  of  nature, 
however  silently  and  unobtrusively  they  may  work,  assert 
their  supremacy  and  compel  recognition.  So  this  man,  clothed 
with  the  humility,  and  joyfully  content  to  perform  the  mean- 
est ministries,  of  his  sacred  calling,  was  not  only  known 
throughout  his  communion  as  a  profound  theologian,  but  was 
also  recognized  by  the  skilled  and  wise,  of  this  and  other 
countries,  as  learned  in  many  branches  of  natural  history,  and 
as  competent,  had  he  so  engaged  himself,  to  take  rank  among 
the  specialists  in  these  subjects  of  scientific  research.  Yet,  in 
these  subjects,  outside  of  the  profession  to  which  he  devoted 
his  life,  however  successful  his  investigations,  he  manifested 
little  pride.  They  were  not  the  prime,  but  only  the  incidental 
objects  of  his  thought  and  study.  He  did  not  seek  knowledge 
for  vainglorious  display,  for  the  general  public  knew  little  of 
his  profound  erudition.  Nor  was  it  for  the  mere  gratification 
of  a  craving  desire  lor  learning,  which,  with  so  many  schol- 
ars, debases  the  most  liberal  of  pursuits  into  a  selfish  miserly 
greed.  But  he  was  deeply  impressed  with  the  dignity  and  im- 
portance of  the  vast  subjects  which  his  profession  required  him 
to  elucidate,  and  he  sought  from  all  learning  within  his  reach 
whatever  could  give  him  clearer  light,  or  enable  him  to  trans- 
mit a  clearer  light  to  others.  His  piety  gave  wings  to  his  in- 
tellect ;  and  so,  in  sermons,  and  books,  and  common  talk,  the 
great  theme,  which  was  the  substance  and  soul  of  all,  was 
illustrated  and  adorned  by  the  learning  of  all  sciences,  and 
arts,  and  lands. 

The  intellect  of  Dr.  McMasters  was  characterized  by  re- 
markable clearness  of  conception  and  rapidity  of  movement. 
His  mental  eye  had  that  eagle  vision  which  takes  in  large  ex- 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  S.  Y.  MCMASTERS,  D.  D.  299 

pauses  at  a  glance,  yet  in  the  glance  discerns  the  smallest  ob- 
jects. This  quality  enabled  him  to  compass  a  great  amount 
and  variety  of  reading  without  trespassing  upon  the  time 
which  belonged  to  the  duties  of  his  profession.  Joined  to  a 
faculty  of  assimilation  quite  as  remarkable,  the  acquisition  of 
knowledge  with  him  seemed  to  come  by  intuition  rather  than 
by  labor— an  act  which  the  vulgar  call  genius,  but  which  is 
the  result,  simply,  of  clearer  and  more  rapid  mental  insight 
and  digestion  than  is  common  to  the  mass  of  men.  But  this 
very  clearness  and  rapidity  were,  in  some  respects,  an  injury 
to  him.  It  made  composition  a  labor  always  irksome ,  and 
sometimes  almost  impossible.  His  ideas  outran  his  pen  ;  and 
while  he  has  left  behind  him  much  to  indicate  the  range  and 
strength,  there  is  little  to  reveal  the  graces,  of  his  culture.  A 
book  or  two,  logical  and  comprehensive,  but  studiously  un- 
rhetorical;  a  few  pamphlets;  some  scientific  monographs;  an 
occasional  sermon ;  these  are  all  the  finished  productions  which 
remain  of  a  man  whose  learning  was  so  various  and  so  pro- 
found. Of  all  the  sermons  preached  during  nearly  forty  years 
of  ministerial  labor,  but  few  were  luUy  written  ;  the  mass  re- 
main, only  as  skeletons,  showing  the  line  of  argument  with 
an  occasional  illustrative  hint.  The  writer  of  this  sketch, 
often  charuied  and  delighted  by  sermons  which,  as  delivered, 
seemed  in  their  strength  and  passion,  and  wealth  of  illustra- 
tion, to  be  almost  inspired,  has  never  found  on  reading  the 
manuscripts,  more  than  the  barest  outline  of  argument.  The 
graces  of  rhetoric,  the  moving  earnestness  of  appeal,  the  ap- 
posite illustrations  drawn  from  all  sources  of  literature  and  of 
life — these  were  the  extemporaneous  decoration,  by  the  artist 
in  the  pulpit,  of  the  skeleton  which  lay  in  manuscript  before 
him  on  his  desk.  In  appearance  he  adhered  to  the  custom  of 
reading  prepared  sermons,  common  to  his  church;  and  no  one, 
unaware  of  his  habit,  would  imagine  that,  as  a  rule,  more 
than  half  the  spoken  sermon  was  extemporaneous;  while  his 
readiness  was  so  remarkable,  that  those  who  knew  his  custom 
would  fail  to  distinguish  between  the  portions  written  and 
unwritten.  The  vrai-semblance  was  complete. 
Two  qualities  of  mind  and  nature,  logic  and  humor,  will 
38 


300  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

always  be  associated  with  Dr.  McMasters  in  the  memory  of 
those  who  knew  him.  The  logic  came  to  him  legitimately, 
through  his  Scotch  parentage;  the  humor  was  his  in  spite  of 
it.  This  logical  faculty  he  possessed  in  an  uncommon  degree. 
Admitting  his  premises,  there  was  no  gainsaying  his  conclu- 
sions. His  arguments  were  so  clear,  connected  and  complete, 
that,  in  dispute,  the  only  way  to  escape  defeat  was  to  dissent 
from  his  first  proposition.  If  you  ventured  to  accompany 
him  a  part  of  the  way,  he  carried  you  along,  perforce,  by  his 
own  route,  to  the  journey's  end.  This  logical  faculty, 
coupled  with  the  habit,  which  grows  out  of  it,  of  seizing  hold 
of  the  vital  points  of  questions,  gave  him  not  only  great  pow- 
er in  the  pulpit,  but  gained  him  a  large  influence  in  the  local 
and  general  conventions  of  his  church.  It  was  the  remark  of 
an  eminent  New  York  divine,  that  he  was  always  glad  to  see 
Dr.  McMasters  rise  in  general  convention  to  discuss  a  knot- 
ty question,  for  his  Scotch  way  of  putting  things  was  sure  to 
end  the  controversy.  His  humor  was  the  spontaneous  out- 
growth of  a  genial,  cheerful  nature.  It  oiled  the  joints  of  his 
mind,  made  him  the  most  delightful  of  companions,  and 
enabled  him  to  be  a  learned  man  without  at  the  same  time 
being  a  pedant.  His  fund  of  mirthful  stories  was  inexhausti- 
ble; and  he  delighted  to  illustrate  profound  truths,  or  expose 
offensive  shams,  by  apposite  anecdotes  appreciatingly  told. 

In  person,  Dr.  McMasters  was  of  medium  height,  of  a 
compact  frame  strongly  knit  together,  of  an  habitually 
thoughtful  mein,  with  a  countenance  that,  while  genial  and 
kind,  was  marked  by  the  rugged  lines  belonging  to  the  race 
from  which  he  sprang.  His  head  was  nobly  molded  and 
posed,  his  features  regular,  and  his  eyes  remarkably  brilliant, 
changeful  and  expressive.  He  was  careless  of  appearances, 
never  conspicuously  advertising  by  his  dress  the  character  of 
his  profession.  He  held  religion  to  be  a  practical  business, 
and  that  its  teacher  should  be  a  practical  man;  and  he  so  at- 
tired and  carried  himself  that  the  roughest  laborer,  whose 
hand  he  cordially  grasped,  never  thought  of  querying 
whether  there  were,  or  ought  to  be,  two  separate  heavens — 
one  for  the  prinking  priest  and  another  for  the  poor  parish- 
ioner.    There  was  nothing  in  common  between  him  and  the 


F 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  S.  Y.  MCMASTERS,  D.  D.  301 

Rev.  Cream  Cheese;  the  school  of  divinity  in  which  he  was 
bred  did  not  employ  the  system  of  hot-house  culture,  and 
produce  tender  plants,  useless  in  the  pulpit,  and  fit  only  for 
the  sewing  circle  and  the  drawing  room.  He  impressed  one 
as  a  manly  man,  frank,  robust,  strong,  and  thoroughly  capa- 
ble— giving  rise  to  no  perplexing  doubts  whether  the  hand 
of  the  Almighty,  or  a  clerical  tailor,  had  fashioned  him. 

It  is  a  fancy  we  often  indulge  when  contemplating  the  ele- 
ments of  a  strong  character,  to  imagine  the  manner  of  man 
which  might  have  been  wrought  out  under  the  influence  of 
other  circumstances,  and  in  different  spheres  of  action.  Ap- 
plying this  to  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  we  can  easily  see 
that  the  clear  and  logical  qualities  of  his  mind,  united  with 
his  habitual  industry,  might  have  made  of  him  a  great  scien- 
tist, or  jurist,  or  statesman.  We  cannot  conceive,  however, 
that  he  could  ever  have  been  a  successful  politician.  He 
was  too  sturdy  and  honest  and  uncompromising  for  that. 
He  could  not  "crook  the  pregnant  hinges  of  the  knee  that 
thrift  might  follow  fawning."  His  hatred  of  all  duplicity 
and  shams  was  in  its  intensity  almost  anclerical.  And  es- 
pecially so,  of  the  solemn  shams.  And  most  especially  so,  of 
the  shams  which  intruded  themselves  into  his  own  commun- 
ion. The  mummeries  which  many  of  the  younger  and 
weaker  of  the  clergy  practice  as  props  to  a  piety  not  strong 
enough  to  stand  on  its  own  legs,  excited  his  utter,  if  not 
always  his  outspoken,  disgust. 

But  it  is  superfluous  to  speculate  on  what  might  have  been, 
when  the  life  under  review  combined  so  much  that  was  fair 
and  lovely  and  of  good  report.  It  is  doubtful,  after  all,  if  any 
profession  or  pursuit  yields  to  its  votary  a  more  gratifying 
compensation  than  comes  to  the  faithful  minister  of  Christ. 
Certainly  none  other  compares  with  it  in  all  the  essentials  of 
high  dignity.  The  Ambassador  of  God  to  Man  !  there  is  no 
other  human  title  so  august  ;  no  merely  human  interests  so 
vast  as  those  confided  to  his  care  ;  for  they  comprise  all  that 
is  dearest  here  with  all  that  is  most  dreaded  or  desired  here- 
after. Apart  from  its  dignities,  there  is  in  the  performance  of 
its  lowest  ofiices  the  reward  that  follows  the  comfortable  con- 
sciousness of  doing  good.     The  clergyman  habitually  comes 


302  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTION'S. 

in  contact  with  men  under  circumstances  that  reveal  the  bet- 
ter qualities  of  their  character  ;  and  though  he  may  not  shrink 
from  scenes  of  suffering  and  vice,  yet,  as  a  rule,  human  nature 
shows  him  its  fairest  side.  It  is  his  privilege  as  well  as  his 
duty  to  minister  at  the  altar  and  the  grave,  where  the  bright- 
est hopes  of  life  are  born  and  lie  buried  ;  to  bring  cheer  to  the 
chamber  of  sickness,  and  consolation  to  the  house  of  sorrow;  to 
so  clothe  counsel  with  wisdom  that  it  command  assent,  and  yet 
so  temper  it  with  modesty  that  it  do  not  give  offense;  to  praise 
so  discreetly  that  it  shall  not  engender  pride,  and  admonish  so 
gently  that  it  shall  leave  no  sting  ;  and,  however  skilled  he 
may  be  in  the  learning  of  the  schools,  to  show  that  he  far  ex- 
cels in  that  better  knowledge  of  the  heart  which  cultivates 
the  sympathies  and  affections,  and  binds  all  men  together  in 
the  bonds  of  a  charity  which  "  suffereth  long,  and  is  kind." 

These,  and  all  the  duties  of  his  sacred  office,  were  performed 
by  Dr.  McMasters  with  a  full  sense  of  the  solemn  responsi- 
bility resting  upon  him.  For  years,  however,  under  the  weak- 
ening effect  of  an  insidious  disease,  these  duties  tasked  his 
body  beyond  its  powers.  Yet  few  of  those  who  saw  him  going 
about  doing  good,  knew  that  his  sufferings  were  greater  than 
the  afflictions  of  those  to  whom  he  ministered.  But  the  stern 
will  was  superior  to  bodily  infirmity,  and  there  were  no  signs 
in  the  cheerful  smile  and  cordial  manner  which  sprang  from 
the  tender  heart  of  the  loving  pastor,  of  the  disease  which 
racked  his  body  and  agonized  his  brain.  In  this  way  the  last 
five  years  of  the  good  doctor's  life  were  years  of  such  sacrifice 
as  few  men  are  compelled  or  permitted  to  live ;  and  they  re- 
vealed that  rarest  heroism  which  sinks  self  in  duty,  and  out 
of  the  ills  and  sufferings  of  life  brings  patience  and  cheer,  and 
all  the  gentle  ministries  of  charity  and  love. 

At  last  his  disease  produced  a  suffering  so  continuous  and 
acute,  that  a  council  of  physicians  decided  upon  a  dangerous 
operation  as  affording  the  only  hope  of  prolonging  his  life,  or 
rendering  it  endurable.  This,  though  skillfully  performed, 
did  not  avail,  for  years  of  suffering  had  too  far  reduced  his 
strength,  and  he  survived  the  torturing  surgery  for  a  few  days 
only.  But  these  few  days  were  mercifully  passed,  for  the 
greater  part,  in  happy  unconsciousness  of  the  agony  which 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  S.  Y.  MCMASTERS,  D.  D.  303 

closed  a  life  that,  far  too  short,  was  long  enough  extended  to 
develop  every  strong  and  generous  quality  of  mind  and  heart, 
and  to  present  us  a  grandly  modeled  character,  fully  rounded, 
finished  and  complete. 
Saint  Paul,  Dec.  11,  1875. 


I 


TRIBUTES  TO  THE   MEMORY  OF  REV. 
JOHN  MATTOCKS, 

t 

BY  SEVERAL  OF  HIS  ASSOCIATES. 

[I.    FROM  A  MEMOIR  PUBLISHED  IN  THE  ST.  PAUL  DAILY  DISPATCH, 
NOV.  13, 1875,  CONTRIBUTED  BY  J.  F.  WILLIAMS.] 

Eev.  John  Mattocks  was  born  at  Peacham,  Yt.,  July  14, 
1814.  He  was  a  son  of  ex-Gov.  John  Mattocks,  a  de- 
scendant of  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  New  England,  the 
Mattocks  ancestor  havirg  arrived  in  Boston  from  England, 
about  1630.  He  graduated  at  Middlebury  College,  in  his 
native  state,  in  1832,  and  first  adopted  the  profession  of  law, 
which  hp  studied,  and  was  admitted  to  practice.  But  at  this 
time,  being  powerfully  impressed  with  religious  convictions, 
he  determined  to  enter  the  ministry,  instead,  and  for  that  pur- 
pose studied  theology  with  the  celebrated  Dr.  Beman,  of 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1838,  graduated  from  the  Theological  De- 
partment of  Yale  College. 

He  soon  after  entered  the  work  of  the  ministry  as  pastor  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Keeseville,  N.  Y.  He  served  his 
congregation  for  nearly  18  years,  and  until  1856,  when  he 
was  called  by  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  of  St.  Paul,  as 
their  pastor.  Hon.  George  L.  Becker,  one  of  the  pioneer 
members  of  this  church,  first  set  on  foot  the  movement 
which  led  to  the  call  of  Mr.  Mattocks,  Mr.  B,  having  known 
the  deceased  at  Keeseville. 

Mr.  Mattocks  and  family  arrived  here  in  August,  1856, 
and  he  commenced  his  labors  as  pastor  of  the  church  named. 
One  after  another  of  the  (Protestant)  clergymen  who  were  then 
in  active  service  in  the  pulpits  of  St.  Paul,  have  died  or  resigned, 
and  at  his  death  he  was  the  senior  pastor  of  St.  Paul, — his 


TRIBUTES  TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  REV.  JOHN^  MATTOCKS.       305 

pastorate  of  nineteen  years  being,  for  a  western  city,  one  of 
much  more  than  usual  length. 

Mr.  Mattocks  was  early  identified  with  every  good  move- 
ment and  cause  in  our  city.  He  gave  much  attention  to  ed- 
ucational matters,  and  in  March,  1860,  (Rev.  E.  D.  Neill 
having  resigned)  he  was  elected  Secretary  of  the  Board  of 
Education,  and  ex  officio  Superintendent  of  the  Public 
Schools  of  the  city.  He  filled  this  station  with  ability  for 
over  ten  years,  until  our  school  system  had  extended  and 
grown  to  such  proportions  as  to  demand  the  entire  time  of 
some  official,  and  he  resigned  the  post  into  other  hands. 
During  his  term  as  Superintendent,  he  performed  a  vast 
amount  of  labor  in  organizing,  controlling  and  directing  our 
schools,  at  greatly  inadequate  compensation.  The  hundreds, 
or  thousands,  more  properly,  who  have  had  business  with  him 
on  school  matters  during  that  term,  will  remember  his  cour- 
tesy to  all,  his  patience  in  settling  and  smoothing  over  all 
difficulties  which  were  continually  arising  betwe-n  parents 
and  pupils,  and  teachers,  his  tact  and  rare  good  judgment  in 
settling  disagreements  and  vexed  questions  in  the  Board,  his 
fidelity  and  earnestness  in  carrying  along  such  an  important 
and  cherished  system  as  our  public  schools  had  become  during 
his  term.  The  pupils  of  our  city  loved  and  revered  Mr.  Mat- 
tocks as  perhaps  no  one  in  that  relation  will  ever  be  again. 
His  name  was  a  household  word,  and  his  influence  over  them 
was  unbounded  and  salutar3\  The  history  of  our  public 
schools,  when  written,  must  do  full  justice  to  these  careful, 
conscientious,  and  faithful  labors  of  Rev.  Johjs^  Mattocks, 
for  more  than  one  decade,  during  their  formative  period. 

The  literary  and  scientific  institutions  of  our  city  have  also 
lost  in  his  death,  one  of  their  most  active  supporters.  Mr. 
Mattocks  had  strong  antiquarian  and  scientific  tastes.  He 
was  one  of  the  oldest  (active)  members  of  the  Minnesota  His- 
torical Society,  having  been  a  member  since  1856,  and  one  of 
the  Executive  Council  since  1864,  and  was  also  President  one 
year.  He  was  a  faithful  and  punctual  worker  for  its  success, 
and  his  experience  and  judgment  in  all  literary  or  historical, 
and  business  matters  coming  before  it,  made  him  one  of  its 
most  prominent  and  influential  members.     In  his  death  the 


306  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

society  has  sustained  a  loss  which  they  must  feel  keenly — 
and,  indeed,  is  almost  irreparable,  following  so  closely,  too, 
after  the  loss  of  Rev.  Dr.  McMasters.  And  here  it  is  worthy 
of  remark  that  Mr.  Mattocks  formally  announced  to  the  so- 
ciety, at  its  meeting  on  Monday  night,  the  death  of  that 
gentleman,  his  associate  and  co-laborer  in  its  ranks  for  many 
years,  in  remarks  so  appropriate,  so  well  chosen,  and  so  .touch- 
ing, that  the  writer  has  seldom,  if  ever,  listened  to  any  eulogy 
more  complete  or  so  fitly  pronounced;  and  could  the  language 
used  be  now  copied,  it  would  most  accurately  and  justly 
describe  the  speaker's  own  services  and  virtues.  Mr.  Mat- 
tocks had  a  rare  natural  gift  of  good  taste  and  judgment  in 
such  matters.  It  was  known  to  his  friends  that  he  could,  on 
any  occasion  like  the  above,  state  a  subject  more  neatly,  im- 
pressively, and  clearly,  than  falls  to  the  lot  of  but  few,  even, 
of  experienced  speakers.  He  always  said,  (as  was  written  of 
another),  "not  a  word  too  much,  nor  too  little,  and  with  the 
right  word  in  the  right  place,"  fitly  chosen  and  weighed,  and 
with  no  affected  ornateness  of  style,  and  no  undue  sentimen- 
tality. Perhaps  one  of  the  leading  mental  traits  of  Mr.  Mat- 
tocks was  his  remarkable  good  judgment  and  discretion  on 
all  subjects.  People  sought  his  advice  on  every  possible 
matter,  out  of  his  profession,  literary,  domestic,  educational, 
sanitary,  scientific,  etc.,  and  from  his  intimate  knowledge 
of  human  character,  and  the  human  heart,  and  of  "the  fit- 
ness of  things,"  he  never  failed  to  give  to  all  thus  seeking 
his  aid,  valuable  counsel. 

He  was  also  an  active  member  of  the  St.  Paul  Academy  of 
Natural  Sciences,  and  has  given  several  lectures  before  it,  on 
the  subject  of  geology,  in  which  he  was  well  informed  and 
skilled.  He  was  also  an  active  member  of  several  other  simi- 
lar societies. 

His  cheertulness  was  another  trait  worthy  of  mention,  and 
one  which  made  his  society  and  conversation  always  so  ac- 
ceptable to  his  friends.  He  always  looked  on  the  "bright 
side"  of  every  event,  and  seemed  more  hopeful  even  in  times 
of  disaster,  than  others.  He  would  often  speak  of  the  amus- 
ing and  funny  points  of  any  subject,  in  a  manner  evincing 
a  keen  sense  of  wit. 


TRIBUTES  TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  REy.  JOHN  MATTOCKS.       307 

As  a  pulpit  speaker,  his  discourses  always  avoided  the  sen- 
sational or  ornate.  They  were  plain,  practical,  and  earnest 
enforcements  of  the  truth  of  religion,  and  the  duties  of  life, 
and  always  carefully  prepared. 

Mr.  Mattocks  possessed  mental  abilities  of  no  common 
order.  He  was  a  close  student,  and  careful  observer  of  all 
subjects  in  which  he  took  an  interest.  Had  he  devoted  him- 
self to  the  profession  he  first  chose,  and  for  which  he  was  so 
well  fitted  by  his  mental  endowments,  he  would  have  won 
eminence  and  wealth.  But  his  convictions  of  duty  led  him 
to  devote  his  life  and  abilities  for  the  good  and  welfare  of 
others,  rather  than  himself,  and  now,  when  his  life's  labors, 
have  been  suddenly  ended,  thousands  will  bless  the  memory 
of  one  who  sacrificed  the  assurance  of  wealth  and  fame,  for 
their  spiritual  good.  The  life  of  a  clergyman  is  one  of  hard 
labor  and  personal  sacrifice — too  often  illy  rewarded,  and 
sometimes  unappreciated  at  the  time.  But  beyond  this  life, 
and  after  life's  labors  have  closed,  the  faithful  pastor  receives 
the  real  reward  of  his  loving  toil.  In  how  many  families  of 
our  city  must  the  name  of  Mr.  Mattocks  be  always  revered? 
Of  how  many  family  histories  does  it  form  an  honored 
part?  The  baptismal  record,  the  nuptial  vow,  the  funeral  ser- 
mon,— events  in  the  record  of  every  family — these  will  bear 
his  name  to  other  generations  of  many  a  household  of  our 
State,  to-day  saddened  with  grief  at  the  news  of  his  death. 


II.    REMARKS  BY  HON.  HENRY  H.   SIBLEY,  AT  A  MEETING  OF  THE 
SOCIETY,  DEC.  13,  1875. 


Mr.  President  :  It  becomes  my  sad  duty,  as  chairman  of 
the  Committee  on  Obituaries,  to  announce  officially  the  death 
of  the  Rev.  John  Mattocks,  which  occurred  since  the  last 
monthly  meeting  of  this  Board.  He  departed  this  life  on  the 
13th  day  of  November,  1875,  at  half-past  one  o'clock  A.  m. 

The  loss  to  the  Society  occasioned  by  the  unexpected  demise 
of  that  good  man,  cannot  be  over-estimated.     He  was,  as  you 


308  MINiS'ESOTA  HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

are  aware,  one  of  the  most  able,  estimable  and  valuable  of  its 
members. 

Mr.  Mattocks  was  born  in  Peacliam,  in  the  State  of  Ver- 
mont, in  the  year  1814,  his  lather,  Hon.  John"  Mattocks, 
being  at  the  time,  governor  of  the  state.  He  graduated  at 
Middlebury  College  in  1832,  and  thereafter  commenced  the 
study  of  the  law  in  his  father's  office.  Subsequently  he  re- 
moved to  Troy,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  where  he  became 
so  profoundly  impressed  with  the  truths  of  the  gospel,  that 
he  resolved  to  devote  his  life  to  the  ministry.  In  accordance 
with  this  determination  he  studied  theology  with  Dr.  Beman 
of  that  city,  and  he  graduated  from  the  theological  depart- 
ment of  Yale  College  in  1838.  He  was  installed  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  in  Keeseville,  Clinton  county,  N.  Y.,  and 
continued  in  that  position  for  eighteen  years,  when  he  re- 
moved to  this  city  in  August,  1856;  was  called  to  the  pastoral 
charge  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  which  he  retained 
until  his  death.  Mr.  Mattocks  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Education  in  this  city  in  1859,  served  in  that  capacity, 
and  as  secretary  of  the  Board,  and  ex  officio  superintendent 
of  the  public  schools,  for  a  period  of  thirteen  years. 

Such  is  a  brief  sketch  of  the  career  of  the  Rev.  John  Mat- 
tocks, but  how  utterly  it  fails  to  convey  any  adequate  con- 
ception of  the  character  of  the  man,  of  his  devotion  to  relig- 
ious principle,  of  his  labors  in  the  cause  of  his  Master,  and  of 
his  love  to  his  fellow-men,  without  distinction  of  race  or  creed. 
Entirely  averse  to  ostentation  or  parade,  he  went  about  doing 
good,  and  many  bruised  and  broken  hearts  received  from  his 
lips  that  consolation  which  cometh  alone  from  on  high.  He 
was  probably  more  extensively  known  than  any  other  relig- 
ious teacher  in  this  city,  his  long  residence,  his  genial  temper, 
and  his  position  as  superintendent  of  schools  for  so  many 
years,  having  brought  him  into  personal  contact  with  all 
classes  of  our  population.  His  charity  knew  no  bounds, 
for  he  devoted  a  large  portion  of  his  slender  resources  to 
the  poor  and  needy.  He  was  a  humble  christian,  with  no 
tinge  of  the  pharisee  in  his  composition,  and  so  far  from 
being  a  bigot,  he  was  catholic  and  tolerant  in  his  views,  albeit 
strongly  attached  to  the  denomination  to  which  he  belonged. 


TRIBUTES  TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  REY.  JOHN  MA.TTOCKS.       309 

In  fact,  however  tthers  might  disagree  with  him,  he  impressed 
every  one  with  a  conviction  of  his  own  sincerity.  He  was  so 
well  acquainted  with  human  nature  in  all  its  phases,  that  he  be- 
came all  things  to  all  men,  so  that  he  could  win  them  to  Christ. 
He  felt  that  to  be  his  mission  upon  the  earth,  and  in  his  daily 
walk  and  conversation  he  manifested  his  devotedaess  to  that 
object.  His  religion  was  not  of  the  emotional  kind,  but  his 
discourses  from  the  pulpit  were  impressive,  logical  and  con- 
vincing. He  loved  to  dwell  upon  the  abundant  mercies  of 
Our  Heavenly  Father,  and  to  draw  men  to  repentance  by  con- 
siderations of  love  to  Him,  rather  than  by  the  terrors  of  the 
law  and  the  slavish  fear  of  punishment.  He  took  a  deep  in- 
terest in  the  revival  movements  of  Messrs.  Whittle  and  Bliss, 
being  a  constant  attendant  at  their  meetings,  and  a  partici- 
pant in  the  exercises. 

The  public  services  rendered  by  Mr.  Mattocks,  while  super- 
intendent of  public  schools  for  a  long  series  of  years,  are  well 
known  and  appreciated  by  this  community.  He  contributed 
largely  to  the  efficiency  of  these  institutions,  which  have  as- 
sumed a  high  rank  among  the  educational  agencies  of  the 
State.  Having  himself  enjoyed  the  privileges  of  a  full  col- 
legiate course,  which  he  had  supplemented  with  studies  of  a 
diversified  character,  he  was  eminently  fitted  to  supervise  the 
system  of  instruction  in  the  schools,  and  to  give  them  a  strong 
impetus  in  the  right  direction.  And  so  kind  and  gentle,  and 
withal  firm,  was  he  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  that  teachers 
and  pupils  alike  revered  and  loved  him. 

The  tender  and  touching  tribute  paid  by  Mr.  Mattocks,  at 
the  last  monthly  meeting  of  the  Society,  and  but  a  few  days 
before  his  own  death,  to  the  memory  of  his  co-laborer.  Rev. 
Dr.  McMasters,  will  be  long  remembered  by  those  who  were 
present  on  that  occasion. 

It  was  my  good  fortune  to  become  acquainted  with  Mr. 
Mattocks  very  soon  after  his  advent  to  this  city,  and  that 
acquaintance  ripened  into  a  friendship  which  was  uninter- 
rupted to  the  end  of  his  life.  I  am  happy  to  be  aftbrded  an 
opportunity,  personally,  to  testify  to  his  tenderness  as  a  hus- 
band and  father,  his  worth  as  a  citizen,  and  his  fidelity  as  a 
minister  of  Christ.     He  was  called  away  suddenly  while  in 


310  MINNESOTA  HISTOKICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

the  possession  of  all  his  faculties,  and  in  the  'vigor  of  mature 
manhood,  before  his  force  was  diminished  or  his  natural 
strength  abated.  It  was,  doubtless,  the  mode  of  death  he 
would  have  selected  if  left  to  his  own  volition,  for  he  was 
always  mindful  of  the  injunction  of  his  Master,  "  Be  ye  also 
ready."  He  was  saved  from  the  tortures  of  a  lingering  disease* 
and  the  stroke  which,  in  a  few  short  hours,  deprived  him  of 
life,  was  to  him  a  crowning  mercy,  for  it  ushered  him  into  the 
haven  ''  where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and  the  weary 
are  at  rest." 

To  our  deceased  friend  may  be  appropriately  applied  the 
words  of  the  poet,  inscribed  originally  to  the  memory  of  the 
old  Scotch  covenanter,  who  had  been  for  forty  years  the  faith- 
ful pastor  of  his  congregation — 

"  But  in  his  duty  prompt  at  every  call, 

He  watch'd  and  wept,  he  pvay'd  and  felt  for  all ; 

And  as  a  bird  each  fond  endearment  tries 

To  tempt  its  new  fledg'd  offspring  to  the  skies, 

He  tried  each  art,  reprov'd  each  dull  delay, 

Allur'd  to  brighter  worlds,  and  led  the  way." 


IIL    EEMARKS  BY  HON.  JOHN  B.  SANBORN,  AT  A  MEETING  OF  THE 

SOCIETY,  DEC.  13,  1875,  OX  THE  ANNOUNCEMENT  OF  THE 

DEATH  OF  REV.  JOHN  MATTOCKS. 


It  may  seem  improper  for  the  youngest  member  of  the 
Board  to  utter  words  of  eulogy  upon  our  oldest  and  most  val- 
uable member,  deceased. 

But  more  than  fifteen  years  have  passed  since  we  were  inti- 
mate friends.  From  the  Sunday  when  he  preached  his  first 
sermon  in  Saint  Paul,  to  the  day  of  his  death,  his  exauiple, 
not  less  than  his  words,  have  been  a  constant  guide  and  light 
through  many  of  the  dark  scenes  and  periods  of  life,  and  I 
should  do  violence  to  my  own  feelings,  if  I  did  not  utter  a 
single  word  in  commemoration  of  his  virtues. 

His  life  and  example  were  such  that  all  may  study  and  fol- 
low them  with  profit. 


TRIBUTES  TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  REV.  JOHN-  MATTOCKS.     ^  311 

He  lived,  as  near  as  man  may,  a  life  of  righteousness  from 
righteous  motives,  and  thereby  complied  with  the  highest 
moral  code  of  any  school.  He  pointed  the  moral  of  the  great 
events  of  the  world  by  the  light  of  revealed  religion,  and  his 
faith  that  all  that  seemed  dark  and  inscrutable  now,  would, 
in  the  brighter  light  yet  to  be  revealed,  be  plain  and  easily 
understood,  was  firm  and  unwavering. 

He  was  a  bold  man,  and  dared  to  discuss  from  his  pulpit  all 
questions  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  society  or  the  church, 
with  frankness  and  decision.  His  voice  never  gave  forth  any 
uncertain  sound.  The  conservative  tendency  of  his  mind  was 
too  great  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  largest  amount  of 
good,  with  his  mental  and  moral  powers.  But  on  great  occa- 
sions this  conservatism  was  all  thrown  aside,  and  he  would 
^become  rs  decided  and  impetuous  as  the  most  thoughtless^ 
Previous  to  our  late  war  he  had  favored  a  most  conservative 
course  towards  the  south.  But  the  sermon  that  he  preached 
the  Sunday  after  the  attack  upon  forts  Moultrie  and  Sumpter, 
was  the  most  decidedly  patriotic  and  national  of  any  of  that 
period,  and  is  no  doubt  still  fresh  in  the  minds  of  all  who 
heard  it.  He  said  blood  must  necessarily  be  shed  now,  to. save 
oceans  of  blood  that  must  otherwise  be  shed  by  coming  gen- 
erations, in  the  never  ending  strife  that  will  follow  the  disso- 
lution of  the  Union.  He  left  no  one  in  doubt  as  to  what  his 
duty  was  in  the  impending  struggle,  and  he  gave  direction  to 
the  views  of  many,  by  his  remarks  on  this  and  similar  occa- 
sions. 

No  man  ever  lived  who  had  a  clearer  perception  of  the  ''fit- 
ness of  things."  He  was  always  in  the  right  place.  He  en- 
tered into  every  occasion  and  every  condition.  He  poured 
consolation  into  the  hearts  of  mourners,  with  the  same  ease 
that  he  repressed  and  subdued  boisterous  or  improper  mirth, 
and  was  equally  adapted  to  the  festivities  of  the  wedding  altar, 
and  solemnities  of  the  funeral  service. 

He  possessed  large  and  varied  learning,  united  to  one  of 
God's  greatest  gifts,  sound,  practical  common  sense.  Ideas 
were  his  delight,  while  words  without  them  were  his  disgust; 
and  in  his  judgment  the  greatest  attainment  of  literature  was 
the  expression  of  ideas  in  the  pleasantest  and  most  simple 


312  MIKNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

manner.  He  advanced  far  into  the  mysteries  of  many  sciences. 
Geologj^  and  astronomy  were  his  delight,  and  in  everything  he 
saw  constantly  the  handiwork  of  God. 

Consistent  and  true  in  every  relation  of  life,  without  osten- 
tation and  without  guile,  he  consecrated  all  his  attainments 
and  all  his  powers  to  the  welfare  of  man  and  the  glory  of  God. 
Let  not  his  example  nor  his  teachings  be  forgotten. 


IV.    LETTER  FROM  RT.  REV.  JOHN  IRELAND,  D.  D.  COADJUTOR  BISHOP 

OF  ST.  PAUL,  PUBLISHED  IN  THE  "FREEMAN'S 

JOURNAL,"  MAY  6,  1876. 


St.  Paul,  March  30, 1876. 
JoHN^  Mattocks,  Esq.,  Chicago: 

My  Dear  Sir: — I  regret  that  pressing  and  unusual  occupa- 
tions have  prevented  me  from  expressing  to  j^ou  before  now, 
my  sentiments  of  deep  respect,  for  the  memory  of  your  father, 
Rev.  JoH]sr  Mattocks,  and  of  heartfelt  sympathy  for  his  family 
on  the  occasion  of  his  lamented  demise.  I  trust  I  will  be 
allowed,  even  at  this  late  hour,  to  add  a  word  of  mine  to  the 
many  testimonials  already  given  in  favor  of  the  sin2:ular 
worth  of  one  whose  friendship,  during  nis  lifetime,  I  very 
highly  prized. 

My  acquaintance  with  Rev.  Mr.  Mattocks  dates  back  some 
twelve  years.  During  this  period  of  time,  one  purpose  or 
another  frequently  brought  us  together,  and  each  meeting 
but  increased  the  esteem  which,  from  the  first,  T  deemed  it 
my  duty  to  award  him.  His  was  a  most  noble  nature — kind, 
affable  and  generous.  I  do  not  believe  he  was  at  any  time 
capable  of  a  harsh  thought,  or  of  a  word  that  he  could  pre- 
sume would  wound  the  most  sensitive  soul.  He  was  ever 
ready  to  do  favors,  to  afford  pleasure  to  others.  The  poor 
had  reason  to  venerate  his  name,  and,  what  is  much  to  his 
praise,  no  ostentriion  accompanied  or  followed  his  good  deeds. 
They  were  done  as  a  matter  of  course.  His  mind  was  richly 
stored.    The  questions  were  few  upon  which  he  was  not  well 


TRIBUTES  TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  REV.  JOHN  MATTOCKS.       313 

informed.  His  words,  too,  in  conversation,  or  assemblies,  in 
which  he  took  part,  indicated  a  man  of  thought  and  reflec- 
tion. He  had  mastered  the  subject  of  his  studies.  He  was 
free,  in  a  remarkable  degree,  from  all  prejudices,  or  special  bias 
of  mind  capable  of  warping  his  judgment  in  his  estimate  of 
men  and  things.  He  was  uplifted  far  above  sectarian  narrow 
mindedness.  While  he  proved  himself  most  faithful,  as  I 
always  heard,  to  the  duties  of  his  particular  profession,  his 
mind  and  heart  could  ever  go  abroad  of  the  circle  of  his  min- 
isterial office,  and  sympathize  with  his  fellow  men  of  all  clas- 
ses, without  legard  to  church  or  national  differences.  In  a 
world  where  men  so  often  labor  to  narrow  down  to  them- 
selves and  to  a  few  around  them,  their  thoughts  and  feelings, 
it  was  most  refreshing  to  come  in  contact  with  the  man  of  the 
type  of  Rev.  Johit  Mattocks.  He  was  very  frank  and  out- 
spoken. You  were  always  sure  that  there  was  no  second 
thought  lurking  back  of  his  word  to  you.  Few  clergymen 
become  so  universally  acquainted  in  a  community,  as  Rev. 
Mr.  Mattocks  was  in  St.  Paul.  Our  citizens,  of  every  class 
and  profession,  seemed  to  know  him  familiarly.  1  have  never 
found  one  who  was  his  enemy,  or  would  not  speak  kindly  of 
him,  whenever  his  name  would  be  mentioned.  The  universal 
regret  expressed  in  our  city  when  his  death  was  made  known, 
was  the  best  tribute  that  could  be  rendered  to  his  memory. 

All  felt  that  a  good  man  had  departed,  who  had  been  an 
honor  to  the  city,  and  whom  they  fain  would  have  kept  with 
them  for  many  long  years.  Men  like  Lim  are  too  few  in  num- 
ber. It  would  be  a  better,  a  kindlier  world,  were  we  to  meet 
them  oftener  in  the  path  of  life.  The  sentiments  which 
I  have  had  towards  Rev.  Mr.  Mattocks,  I  beg  leave  to  ex- 
tend to  his  children,  with  whom  I  sincerely  condole  in  their 
present  grief.  Most  respectfully  your  friend, 

JOHN  IRELAND, 
Co-Adjutor  Bishop,  etc. 


LIFE  AND  PUBLIC  SERVICES  OF  Hon.  WIL- 
LIS A.  GORMAN. 


COMPILED    FROM    OBITUAT^Y   NOTICES    IN    THE    ST.    PAUL 
JOURNALS. 


[Ex-Gov.  W.  A.  Gorman  died  at  his  residence  in  St.  Paul,  May  20tli,  1876, at 
2  o'clock,  p.  m.,  after  a  brief  illness.] 

Willis  Arnold  Gorman,  only  son  of  Dayid  L.  and  Eliza- 
beth Gorman,  and  one  of  two  children,  was  born  on  the  12th 
day  of  January,  1816,  near  Flemingsburgh,  in  the  county  of 
Fleming,  Kentucky.  He  received  a  thorough  primary  and 
collegiate  education,  and  early  applied  himself  to  the  study 
of  the  law. 

At  the  age  of  twenty  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  in 
August,  1835,  removed  to  Bloomington,  Indiana,  where  he 
began  the  practice  of  his  profession.  Without  money  or 
friends,  Mr.  Gorman  here  encountered  many  difficulties  in 
the  way  of  his  professional  advancement,  which  only  an  in- 
domitable energy  could  surmount.  He  made  his  debut  at  the 
Monroe  county  bar  within  a  few  weeks  of  his  arrival  at  Bloom- 
ington, in  the  defense  of  one  Polly,  charged  with  murder. 
Polly  was  guilty,  the  crime  having  been  witnessed  by  many 
citizens,  but  Mr.  Gorman  succeeded  in  obtaining  his  acquittal 
before  the  jury.     This  at  once  made  him  popular. 

In  January,  1836,  he  married  Martha  Stone,  daughter  of 
Ellis  Stone,  a  much  respected  citizen  of  Monroe  county. 

His  natural  ability  and  great  popularity,  induced  his  friends 
to  urge  him  to  a  public  career,  and  when  but  twenty-three 
years  old,  he  was  elected  to  represent  his  county  in  the  State 
legislature,  which  position  he  filled,  with  honor  to  himself 
and  satisfaction  to  his  constituents,  for  five  or  six  terms,  and 


LIFE  OF  HON".  W.   A.   GORMAN.  315 

until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Mexican  war.  Then  Mr.  Gor- 
man" was  among  the  first  to  offer  his  services  to- his  country, 
which  lie  did  by  volunteering  as  a  private,  in  a'Bloomington 
company,  which  was  to  be  attached  to  the  "  Third  Indiana 
Regiment."  In  June,  1846,  the  regiment  was  mustered  into 
service  at  New  Albany,  for  one  year.  Before  embarking  for 
the  seat  of  war,  an  election  of  officers  was  held,  and  James  H. 
Lan^e  (since  U.  S.  Senator  from  Kansas),  was  chosen  Colonel, 
and  Mr.  Gorman^,  Major. 

This  regiment  rendered  signal  service  during  the  first 
year's  campaign  in  Mexico,  and  achieved  particular  distinc- 
tion on  the  field  of  Buena  Vista.  Major  Gorman"  had  the 
honor  of  bringing  on  this  battle,  as  under  order  of  General 
Taylor,  he,  with  his  command  of  five  hundred  riflemen,  made 
the  assault  upon  the  enemy's  flank  which  opened  the  engage- 
ment. In  this  fight  every  fourth  man  in  Gorman's  command 
fell.  He  received  the  compliments  of  his  superior  officers  for 
the  bravery,  coolness  and  tact  exhibited  bj;  him  in  this  bloody 
conflict.  During  the  battle  his  horse  was  shot,  and  fell,  with 
his  rider,  into  a  deep  ravine;  but,  although  the  Major  was 
severely  injured  by  this  fall  (from  the  effects  of  which  he 
never  fully  recovered),  he  kept  command  of  his  battalion  until 
the  enemy  fled. 

In  May,  1847,  its  term  of  enlistment  having  expired,  the 
regiment  returned  home.  Immediately  Major  Gorman"  began 
the  organization  of  the  "  Fourth  Indiana  Regiment,"  of  which 
he  was  unanimously  elected  Colonel.  This  regiment  first 
participated  in  battle  at  the  capture  of  Humantala,  and  was 
the  first  to  plant  the  American  flag  over  the  city.  The  regi- 
ment afterwards  participated  in  a  number  of  battles,  among 
which  were  "Atilixco,'^  "Puebla,"  "Tlascala,"  and  "El  Pinal." 

lu  August,  1849,  after  his  return  from  Mexico,  Col.  Gorman" 
was  chosen  to  represent  his  district  in  Congress,  which  posi- 
tion he  filled  for  two  terms.  While  in  Congress  he  was  dis- 
tinguished for  his  readiness  and  versatility  in  debate.  At 
that  time  the  Senate  had  among  its  members  men  famous  in 
the  history  of  our  country,  such  as  Dan^iel  Webster,  Thomas  H. 
Benton",  Lewis  Cass,  Dan^iel  S.  Dickinson",  John  C.  Calhoun, 


316  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

Salmon  P.  Chase,  and  otliers  of  the  great  men  of  those  days, 
while  in  the  body  of  which  he  was  a  member,  there  were 
many  who  had  already,  or  since  have,  inscribed  their  names 
on  the  brightest  pages  of  the  recorded  events  of  the  times. 
Then  the  great  question  agitating  the  public  mind  was  that 
of  slavery,  the  agitation  of  which  dates  back  to  1833,  and 
which  finally  culminated  in  the  great  civil  war,  in  which  he 
later  bore  so  conspicuous  a  part,  In  these  discussions,  and 
others  coming  before  the  House,  Col.  Gorman  early  took  an 
active  part,  distinguishing  himself  for  the  clearness  of  his 
views,  and  the  force  and  earnestness  with  which  they  were 
advanced.  In  1851,  Col.  Gorman  was  re-elected  to  Congress 
from  his  district,  thus  serving  four  years  in  that  body. 

When  Franklin  Pierce  became  President  in  1853,  he  ap- 
pointed Colonel  Gorman,  Governor  of  the  then  Territory  of 
Minnesota,  to  assume  the  position  of  which,  he  reached  St. 
Paul  May  13th,  taking  possession  of  the  office  two  days  fol- 
lowing, the  15th,  soon  thereafter  announcing  the  following 
appointments :  Socrates  Nelson,  Auditor:  Lafayette 
Emmett,  Attorney  General;  George  W.  Prescott,  Superin- 
tendent of  Public  Instruction;  Robt.  A.  Smith,  State  Libra- 
rian and  Private  Secretary;  Roswell  P.  Russell,  Treasurer; 
S.  B.  LowRY,  Adjutant  General;  Andrew  J,  Whitney,  Clerk 
of  the  Supreme  Court.  Gifted  with  a  firm  and  strikingly 
handsome  person,  with  an  impressive  manner,  with  great 
natural  endowments  as  an  orator,  and  with  much  force  and 
energy  of  character,  he  at  once  took  a  leading  part  in  the 
politics  of  the  State. 

It  was  during  his  administration  that  the  celebrated  land 
question  came  up,  and  the  Governor  took  a  firm  stand  for 
what  he  considered  the  interests  of  the  people.  He  recom- 
mended, in  the  distribution  of  the  lands  among  the  railroads, 
the  state  should  receive  at  least  three  per  cent  of  the  gross 
earnings  of  the  roads  in  lieu  of  general  taxation.  Over  this 
question  a  bitter  opposition  was  raised  against  him.  The  first 
bill  introduced  was  to  grant  land  to  the  Northwestern  rail- 
road company.  This  he  vetoed,  because  it  did  not  secure  to 
the  State  such  a  bonus,  in  lieu  of  taxation,  as  he  thought  the 
State  should  have.    He  was  firmly  resolved  to  abide  by  his 


LIFE   OF  HOX.   W.   A.   GORMAN".  317 

decision,  and  a  compromise  was  finally  effected.  It  is  to  his 
exertions,  therefore,  that  may  be  attributed  in  a  great,  meas- 
ure, the  present  income  of  three  per  cent  upon  all  the  land 
grants  in  the  State. 

It  was  during  this  contest  that  an  incident  occurred,  illus- 
trative of  his  strict  integrity  and  his  utter  abhorrence  of  any- 
thing approaching  a  bribe.  Seated  in  the  Governor's  office 
one  day,  a  fine  appearing,  well  dressed  man  of  the  world, 
was  ushered  in.  After  a  few  minutes  spent  in  talk  of  a  gen- 
eral nature,  the  visitor  directed  the  conversation  to  the  all- 
absorbing  railroad  bill,  and  finally,  after  much  beating  about 
the  bush,  he  managed  to  convey  to  the  Governor  the  proffer 
of  $30,000  it  he  would  withdraw  his  opposition  to  the  measure 
of  the  railroad  men.  Without  a  moment's  hesitation.  Gen- 
eral GoRMAi?^  jumped  to  his  feet,  and  with  a  voice  that  rang 
through  the  room  as  the  blast  of  a  bugle,  while  his  eyes  and 
every  feature  of  his  face  expressed  the  utmost  scorn,  and  in 
language  more  forcible  than  polite,  he  ordered  his  visitor  out 
of  the  room  before  he  broke  every  bone  in  his  body.  Speak- 
ing of  this  incident  in  later  years,  the  visitor  was  wont  to  re- 
mark, that  '^  Governor  Gormak  was  a  very  unhealthy  person 
to  approach  with  an  offer  of  a  bribe." 

Another  characteristic  incident  is  told  in  connection  with 
the  late  J.  Ross  Browite.  During  President  Pierce's  admin- 
istration, Mr.  Browite  was  sent  out  to  examine  and  report  upon 
affairs  in  the  various  territorial  governments.  .  Among  those 
visited,  was  Governor  Gorman.  At  that  time  territorial  gov- 
ernors were  the  custodians  of  Indian  funds.  Then  the  money 
of  the  country  was  specie,  silver  and  gold,  of  all  denomina- 
tions, ranging  from  the  silver  five  cent  piece  to  the  twenty 
dollar  gold  piece.  Reaching  St.  Paul,  Mr.  Browne  soon 
thereafter  called  upon  Governor  Gorman.  As  delicately  as 
possible  he  made  known  the  object  of  his  visit,  desiring  to  be 
shown  the  Governor's  account  of  receipts  and  disbursements 
and  the  amount  of  funds  on  hand.  The  mere  doubt  or  fear 
expressed  in  the  sending  of  such  an  agent  of  the  government, 
that  he  was  not  faithfully  discharging  his  trust,  aroused  the 
ire  of  the  Governor,  and  he  shouted  out,  his  voice  trembling 
with  illy  suppressed  indignation:    "  What !  do  you  or  the 


318  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

governmeDt  take  me  for  a thief  ?"  Mr.  Browne  ex- 
plained, and  finally  the  examination  was  commenced.  The 
books  were  gone  over  and  the  receipts  and  disbursements  care- 
fully noted.  Then  the  counting  of  the  money  was  com- 
menced. After  going  through  with  two  or  three  bags,  and  find- 
ing the  amounts  corresponding  with  the  marks  on  the  outside, 
Mr.  Browne  proposed  to  merely  take  the  marked  amounts  on 
the  others,  as  evidence  of  the  sums  they  contained.  "Not 
so,"  said  General  Gorman.  "You  have  commenced  to  investi- 
gate my  expenditures,  and,  sir,  you  shall  not  leave  this  room 
before  you  have  counted  every  piece  of  that  money,  and  found 
that  my  accounts  are  square  to  a  cent.''  And  Mr.  Browne 
had  to  count  the  money,  finding,  upon  completing  the  task, 
that  the  Governor's  accounts  were  "square  to  a  cent." 

During  his  administration  he  made  it  a  point  to  deal  fairly 
and  justly  with  the  Indians;  and,  hy  his  policy,  uniform  peace 
and  good  order  prevailed  among  all  the  tribes.  By  order  of 
the  general  government,  he  made  several  treaties  with  the  In- 
dians, in  1854-5,  all  ot  which  were  accomplished  with  entire 
peace  and  harmony,  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  government 
and  the  Indians.  In  behalf  of  these  several  tribes,  Gov.  Gor- 
man disbursed  upward  of  a  million  dollars  for  the  general 
government,  without  it,  or  the  Indians,  losing  one  dollar. 
An  incident  illustrating  his  firmness  and  prompt  decision  in 
critical  moments,  may  be  mentioned  in  this  connection.  In 
1853  he  was  ordered  by  the  government  to  remove  the  Sioux 
bands  from  their  homes  on  the  west  banks  of  the  Mississippi, 
opposite  St.  Paul,  to  their  own  reservation  at  Redwood  and 
Yellow  Medicine,  as  provided  by  treaty.  As  there  were  up- 
wards of  six  thousand  Indians  upon  the  Mississippi  and  Minne- 
sota rivers,  and  among  them  the  celebrated  chiefs.  Little  Crow 
and  Wabasha,  this  undertaking  was  considered  a  difiicult 
and  extremely  delicate  task.  The  governor,  however,  after 
taking  counsel  with  such  men  as  Gov.  Sibley,  Philander 
Prescott,^    Franklin  Steele,  H.  M.  Rice,  George  Culver, 

1.  Philander  Prescott  was  born  at  Phelps,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  17, 1801.  In  1819  he 
left  home  in  company  with  his  brother,  Zachariah  W.  and  engaged  in  the  f ur 
trade  among  the  Dakotas  ;  marrying  in  1823,  a  daughter  of  one  of  their  chiefs, 
Kee-e-Hei  (The  man  that  flies.)    This  wife  afterwards  became  a  Christian 


life  of  hon.  w.  a.  gorman.  •    319 

John"  Farrington,  N.  My  rick,  Alexis  Bailly,i  Alex. 
Faribault  and  W.H.  Forbes,  to  all  and  to  each  of  whom  he 
ever  expressed  the  greatest  obligations,  commenced  the  re- 
moval of  the  Indians,  only  aided  by  two  or  three  interpreters, 
and  Joseph  R.  Brown  and  a  few  other  old  traders.  He  ac- 
companied the  Indians  on  their  long  and  tedious  march,  and 
althou2:h  he  had  with  him  $250,000  in  gold  for  the  tribes,  he 
took  no  force  or  guard,  but  permitted  the  Indians  to  guard 
the  money  themselves.  The  journey  was  accomplished  in 
safety,  with  but  one  slight  incident,  above  alluded  to.  When 
the  Indians  arrived  at  the  ''Big  Woods,"  at  a  point  near 
where  Belle  Plaine  is  at  present,  they  demanded  a  "big  talk," 
or  council,  with  "the  man  with  the  eagle's  eye,"  as  they 
styled  the  Governor.  Their  request  was  granted.  The  coun- 
cil ring  was  formed,  and  the  chiefs  centered  about  the  Gover- 
nor. The  chief,  Wabasha,  first  addressed  the  Governor, 
speaking  about  as  follows:  "Tou  have  given  us  plenty  of 
flour,  and  plenty  of  beef  and  white  man's  meat.  But  Indians 
love  venison.  Our  young  men  want  to  hunt.  The  fall  hunt 
is  now  approaching.  When  you  leave  us,  your  beef  will  soon 
be  gone.     We  will  have  no  fresh  meat,  or  dried  beef  for  win. 

and  was  baptized  by  tbe  name  of  Maby.  She  died  at  the  home  of  her  daughter, 
Mrs.  Eli  Pettuohn,  in  Shakopee,  in  1867,  much  respected. 

Mr.  Prescott  soon  obtained  great  influence  among  the  Dakotas.  He  was  in 
the  service  of  the  government  as  agent,  interpreter,  farmer,  etc.,  for  many 
years,  and  was  a  valuable  and  trusted  oflicial.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable 
education,  strong  good  sense,  and  acute  mental  qualities,  and  wrote  many  val- 
uable papers  on  Indian  matters,  agriculture,  reports  of  agency  affairs,  etc.  A 
valuable  article  by  him  is  in  Schoolcrafi's  Indian  Tribes.  He  was  stationed 
most  of  the  time,  from  1837  to  1855,  at  Ft.  Snelling,  and  when  that  post  was 
abandoned  by  the  U.  S.,  he  removed  to  Redwood,  where  he  was  Indian  farmer 
at  the  time  of  the  outbreak.  On  Aug.  10, 1862,  the  Indians  savagely  murdered 
him  near  Ft.  Ridgely,  though  he  had  been  their  friend  and  benefactor  for  forty 
years.  He  wrote  a  short  time  before,  a  memoir  of  his  life,  which  covered  60 
pages  of  manuscript,  but,  it  is  feared,  is  now  lost.  W. 

1.  Alexis  Bailly  was  born  in  Michigan,  Dec.  14, 1798.  He  came  to  Mendota 
about  1824,  and  embarked  in  the  fur  trade  there.  He  was,  soon  after,  married 
to  Miss  Lucy  Faribault,  (daughter  of  Alex.  Faribault,)  who  died  several 
years  later.  Mr.  Bailly  sold  his  Mendota  post  to  H.  H.  Sibley,  in  1835,  and 
about  1840  embarked  in  trade  at  Wabasha,  where  he  built  a  warehouse  and 
store,  and  remained  in  business  there  until  the  close  of  his  life,  though  having 
an  interest  in  the  Indian  trade  at  other  points.  He  was  a  member  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  of  the  First  Territorial  Legislature.  In  1856,  he  married  (at 
St.  Paul)  Miss  Julia  Corey,  of  Cooperstown.  N.  Y.,  a  sister  of  Mrs,  Wm.  H. 
Forbes,  and  Mrs.  Louis  Blum,  of  St.  Paul.  Mr.  Bailly  died  at  Wabasha, 
June  3,  1861.  W. 


320  MINN^ESOTA  HISTOEICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

ter;  when  we  reach  our  new  home  the  bufiPalo  will  run  away. 
Unless  our  great  father  permits  us  to  kill  game  in  the  Big 
Woods,  our  squaws  and  papooses  will  starve  next  winter.'" 
When  this  speech  was  finished,  Eagle  and  Red  Iron  fol- 
lowed, insisting  that  they  be  permitted  to  make  their  fall 
hunt  in  the  Big  Woods.     The  Governor  appreciated  the  situ- 
ation, but  was  determined  not  to  yield  to  a  demand  so  incon- 
venient to  all  concerned.     He  replied  that  he  would  like  to 
please  them,  but  they  had   made   a  treaty;   had  sold  their 
lands,  and  were  to  be  paid  in   regular  yearly  installments 
within  twenty  years.     The  government  would  not  see  them 
starve,  but  would  help  them  adopt  some  part  of  the  white 
man's  habits,  and  for  this  purpose  would  give  them  imple- 
ments, and  furnish  farmers  to  instruct  them.     They  could 
not  remain  there  longer  than  three  days.     As  he  finished,  one 
of  the  warriors  of  the  Lake  Calhoun  band  arose,  and  said  that 
the  traders  would  get  all  their  money,  and  they  must  stay 
there  until  the  *'next  moon"  anyhow.     Little  Crow  in  the 
meantime  had  been  silent,  but  he  now  arose,  and  in  a  loud 
voice  said:     "If  we  stay  down  here  and  get  our  money,  the 
traders  will  be  sure  to  get  it,  and  all  our  blankets.     We  have 
agreed  to  go,  and  we  must  do  as  our  great  father  asks  us. 
But  we  would  like  some  better  cattle  than  you  have  along." 
He  sat  down,  and   the  young  Calhoun  Lake  warrior  again 
arose,  and  said  determinedly  that  the  chiefs  and  women  might 
go  on,  but  the  young  men  would  stay;  they  wouldn't  go.     At 
this,  the  Governor  in  wrath,  told  the  interpreter  to  tell  that 
young  man  he  should  go  to  Redwood,  if  he  had  to  send  to 
Fort  Snelling  for  troops.     The  council  then  broke  up,  and 
the  Indians  retired  to  a  private  consultation.      That  night 
the  governor  secretly  sent  a  messenger  to  the  fort,  asking  for 
a  force,  and  by  nine  o'clock  the  next  day,  one  hundred  dra- 
goons, under  Capt.  McGruder,  with  a  battery  of  artillery, 
drew  up  before  the  astonished  Indians.     After  a  while.  Little 
Crow  made  the  soldiers  a  speech  advising  them  to  go  on,  and 
the  Indians  all  gathered  about  the  Governor  to  shake  hands 
with  him,  assuring  him  of  their  willingness  to  start. 


LIFE   OF   HON.   W.   A.   GORMAK.  321 

No  further  trouble  was  experienced.  The  bands  settled 
quietly  down  upon  their  new  lands,  and  remained  in  that  con- 
dition for  eight  years — until  1862. 

Many  more  instances  might  be  related,  but  these  will  sufi&ce. 

In  short,  the  administration  of  Grovernor  Gorman  was  of 
that  character  outlined  in  the  closing  extract  of  his  first 
message  to  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives,  when 
he  said  : 

"  I  hopo  that  in  your  legislation  you  may  find  it  profitable  to  refer  fre- 
quently to  the  great  political  truths  that  have  guided  those  wise  states- 
men of  the  past,  and  illuminated  the  path  and  progress  of  republican 
liberty  throughout  this  great  confederacy.  Give  the  people  the  largest 
political  rights  consistent  with  the  constitution  of  the  United  States  and 
the  organic  act  of  the  Territory.  Enforce  the  strictest  obedience  to  the 
laws.  Be  guided  by  the  safest  economy  in  all  public  expenditures;  let 
your  action  be  controlled  by  the  rule  that  the  ^ right  is  always  expedient,^ 
Encourage  a  high  morality  amongst  the  people.  Guard  the  weak  against 
the  strong.  Give  equal  rights  to  all,  exclusive  privileges  to  none. 
And  thus,  by  keeping  these  great  truths  before  our  eyes,  we  shall  merit 
and  receive  the  approbation  of  Him  who  holds  the  destiny  of  nations  in 
His  hand,  and  lay  the  foundation,  broad  and  deep,  for  a  state  in  whose 
destiny  we  shall  all  be  proud." 

In  1857  Governor  Gorman  was  succeeded  by  Hon.  Samuel 
Medary,^  appointed  by  President  Buchanan.  Gov.  Me- 
DARY  arrived  in  St.  Paul  April  22d,  and  at  once  assumed  the 
gubernatorial  chair.  At  the  election  June  1st,  for  delegates 
to  the  constitutional    convention,   Governor  Gorman  was 

1.  Samuel  Medary,  Governor  of  Minnesota,  1857-58,  was  born  in  Montgomery 
county,  Pa.,  Feb.  25, 1801.  His  early  education  was  limited,  but  he  became  a 
printer,  and  acquired  a  large  fund  of  general  information.  Taking  a  great  in- 
terest In  politics,  he  joined  the  Jackson  party,  and  remained  an  adherent  of  it 
through  life.  He  was  for  many  years  editor  of  the  Ohio  Statesman,  published 
at  Columbus.  O.  His  editorials,  though  lacking  in  polish,  were  full  of  vigor,  and 
he  became  one  of  the  leading  men  of  his  party  in  Ohio.  Though  a  personal 
friend  of  Douglas,  he  separated  from  the  latter  when  he  opposed  Buchanan. 
He  was,  by  the  latter  President,  appointed  Governor  of  Minnesota  in  March, 
1857,  and  soon  after  assumed  the  executive  chair.  He  delivered  two  messages 
to  the  Legislature,  one  to  the  extra  session,  and  one  to  the  "State"  Legislature 
in  December.  He  never  made  St.  Paul  his  actual  residence,  and  during  the  de- 
lay In  the  admission  of  the  State,  returned  to  Columbus.  He  wa5,  not  long 
afterward,  appointed  Governor  of  Kansas,  which  post  he  filled  a  few  months, 
in  1858-59.  During  the  war  of  secession,  he  was  a  "Peace  Democrat."  He 
died  in  Columbus  Nov.  7, 18G4,  from  the  effects,  it  is  asserted,  of  poison  taken  at 
the  dinner  table  of  the  National  Hotel  in  Washington,  in  1857,  when  President 
Buchanan  and  others  were  so  nearly  fatally  poisoned.  W. 


322  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

elected  from  St.  Paul,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  discus- 
sion of  the  various  measures  considered  by  that  body.  He 
was  a  candidate  for  a  seat  in  the  U.  S.  Senate  before  the  Ter- 
ritorial Legislature  in  1858,  but  was  defeated  by  a  division  of 
his  party  friends.  In  the  fall  of  1859  he  was  elected  a  Rep- 
resentative, but  owing  to  the  very  long  session  of  the  year 
previous,  the  Governor  did  not  call  the  Legislature  together. 

In  the  Presidential  election  of  1860,  Governor  Gorman  took 
a  prominent  part,  ably  and  earnestly  championing  the  claims 
of  "  The  Little  Giant,"  Hon.  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  He  was 
chosen  a  delegate  to  the  "Charleston  convention." 

The  following  year,  when  the  mutterings  preceding  the 
late  war  began  to  be  heard.  Governor  Gorman  early  an- 
nounced himself  as  an  unqualified  Unionist.  When  the  first 
war  meeting  was  held  in  St.  Paul,  after  the  fall  of  Sumter, 
he  m^e  a  stirring,  eloquent  and  fervid  appeal  to  the  patriot- 
ism of  the  citizens,  that  gave  a  tone  and  direction  to  the  feel- 
ing of  the  city.  He  also  set  an  example  by  promptly  ofiering 
his  services  for  the  war.  His  services  were  accepted  by  Gov- 
ernor Ramsey,  by  whom  he  was  authorized  to  raise  a  regi- 
ment. In  the  excitement  then  existing,  this  was  soon  ac- 
complished, the  regiment  being  designated  the  First  Minne- 
sota Infantry,  and  on  the  29th  of  April,  Gov.  Gorman  was 
commissioned  Colonel,  Stephen  Miller  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and  Wm.  H.  Dike  Major.  The  regiment  was  ordered  to 
Washington  June  14th,  1861,  where  it  was  assigned  to  Gen. 
McDowell's  command,  by  which  the  battle  of  the  first  Bull 
Run  was  fought  and  lost.  In  this  engagement  the  regi- 
ment and  Col.  Gorman  attracted  much  notice  by  their  gal- 
lantry. On  returning  to  Washington,  Col.  Gorman  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  Brigade  composed  of  the  First  Min- 
nesota, 82d  New  York,  15th  Massachusetts,  and  34th  New 
York.  On  the  17th  of  September  following,  in  recognition 
of  his  gallant  conduct  in  the  Bull  Run  engagement,  and  his 
soldierly  qualities,  he  was,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the 
Commander-in-Chief,  Gen.  Scott,  appointed  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral of  volunteers,  his  being  one  of  the  first  promotions  made 
from  the  volunteer  service.  October  22d  following,  his  Brig- 
ade took  part  in  the  battle  ot  Ball's  Bluff,  his  old  regiment, 


LIFE  OF  HON.   W.   A.   GORMAK.  323 

the  First,  having  the  advance  in  the  crossing  at  Edward's 
Ferry,  and  covering  the  retreat  after  the  defeat.  Gen.  GrOR- 
MAN"  was  second  in  command  of  this  force,  and  often  was  in 
full  command,  by  the  absence  of  Gen.  Ston^e. 

The  following  spring  Gen.  Gorman's  brigade  formed  a  por- 
tion of  the  column  which  advanced  on  Richmond  by  way  of 
the  Peninsula.  An  attack  of  fever,  however,  compelled  his 
relinquishment  of  the  command  while  the  campaign  was  in 
progress,  and  his  return  to  Washington.  Later  in  the  season, 
after  Pope's  disastrous  campaign.  Gen.  Gorman  was  again 
able  to  take  the  field,  accompanying  Gen.  McClellan's  col- 
umn on  its  march  to  intercept  Lee,  at  the  time  of  his  first 
invasion  of  Maryland,  and  participating  in  the  battles  of 
South  Mountain  and  Antietara.  In  the  latter,  the  casualties 
of  battle  gave  him  the  command  of  his  division,  the  Second 
Division,  Second  Army  Corps,  in  which  he  continued  until 
the  re-organization  of  the  army  following  Gen. •McClellan's 
removal.  In  the  changes  then  occurring.  Gen.  Gorman  was 
ordered  to  the  Southwest,  where  he  remained,  performing  the 
duties  assigned  to  him  until  the  latter  part  of  1864,  when,  after 
nearly  four  years  of  active  and  laborious  service,  with  credit 
to  himself  and  his  State,  he  laid  aside  his  military  trappings 
and  honors,  and  sought  in  private  life,  that  rest  and  recupera- 
tion to  which  he  was  so  well  entitled,  and  of  which  he  stood 
so  much  in  need 

Returning  to  St.  Paul,  Gen.  Gorman,  after  a  short  season 
of  rest,  lormed  a  law  partnership  with  Hon.  C.  K.  Davis.  In 
1869  he  was  elected  City  Attorney,  which  office  he  held  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  being  re-elected  in  1871, 1873  and  1875.  In 
this  office  he  labored  at  the  expense  of  the  acquisition  of 
wealth,  and  to  the  detriment  of  his  health,  which  became 
seriously  impaired  a  year  or  two  ago;  his  decline  exciting  the 
interest  and  fears  of  his  most  intimate  friends,  though  he 
himself  attended  to  his  official  duties  with  the  same  self- 
denying  devotion  which  ever  marked  his  public  career. 

Gen.  Gorman  had  been  twice  married;  first  at  Blooming- 
ton,  Indiana,  January,  1836,  to  Miss  Martha  Stone,  and 
second  to  Miss  Emily  Newington,  at  Christ  Church,  this 
city,  by  the  late  Rev.  S.  Y.  McMasters,  April  27,  1865,  this 


324  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

estimable  lady  surviving  her  husband  to  mourn  her  irrepara- 
ble loss.  By  the  union  with  Miss  Martha  Stone,  there 
were  five  children,  as  follows:  R.  F.  Gorman,  the  eldest,  and 
present  clerk  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works;  James  W.  Gor- 
man, who  was  Assistant  Adjutant  General  on  the  General's 
staff  from  September,  1862,  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  at  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  February  19,  1873,  from 
disease  contracted  in  the  service;  Louisa  G.,  former  wife  of 
Harvey  Officer,  Esq.,  who  died  of  Consumption,  March,  4, 
1870;  E.  S.  Gorman,  practicing  attorney  at  law  in  this  city, 
and  Martha  B.,  now  Mrs.  Wood,  residing  at  Evansville, 
Indiana.  The  mother  of  these  children  departed  this  life  at 
Bloomington,  Indiana,  the  home  of  her  maidenhood,  where 
she  was  temporarily  residing,  during  the  absence  of  General 
Gorman  with  his  military  command,  March  1, 1864.  By  the 
last  union  there  was  no  issue. 

Though  Geji.  Gorman  possessed  some  eccentric  traits  of 
character,  the  effect  of  an  ardent  and  impetuous  t(^mperament, 
which  were  not  favorable  to  sustained  success  as  a  politician, 
he  always  maintained  a  leading  and  influential  position  in  his 
party.  His  ready  eloquence  and  fine  abilities  were  always  at  its 
service,  and  his  enthusiastic  devotion  to  its  cause,  almost  recalled 
the  generous  ardor  of  a  knight  of  the  Crusades.  He  displayed 
the  courage,  the  impetuosity,  and  the  independence  of  his 
character,  in  his  vigorous  opposition  to  various  schemes  re- 
lating to  the  material  development  of  the  State,  such  as  the 
Five  Million  Loan  Bill,  which  he  thought  unwise  and  dis- 
honest, though  supported  by  the  most  powerful  political  com- 
binations of  the  time. 

Socially,  Gen.  Gorman  was  a  very  agreeable  gentleman, 
and  in  all  the  relations  of  life  a  warm-hearted,  kind,  and  gen- 
erous man.  His  faults  were  those  arising  from  the  impulsive- 
ness of  an  ardent  temperament,  and  a  lively  imagination. 
But  there  was  no  element  of  meanness  or  maliciousness  in  his 
character,  'f'  *  *  Jn  l^ig  demise,  hundreds  felt  that  they  had 
lost  a  warm  and  valued  personal  friend;  and  though  he  led  an 
active  life,  which  brought  him  into  strong  political  contests,  he 
laid  down  his  well-worn  armor  without  leaving  any  bitterness 


LIFE  OF  HON".   W.   A.   GORMAN.  325 

behind.  On  the  contrary,  the  mourning  was  general  and 
well  nigh  universal.     *     *     * 

He  knew  that  his  end  had  come,  and  he  met  it  bravely. 
Yesterday  morning  [May  19.  J  he  took  leave  of  his  family,  and 
with  Spartan  and  eloquent  firmness,  addressed  each  personally, 
giving  precepts  and  advice  which  will  never  be  forgotten. 
Bishops  Grace  and  Ireland  had  already  administered  to 
him  extreme  unction,  and  he  feelingly  enjoined  upon  his  chil- 
dren to  adhere  to  the  Catholic  Church.  Though  his  body 
was  helpless,  his  intellect  was  clear;  and  while  weeping  friends 
stood  around,  he  spoke  with  such  force  and  tenderness  as  to 
render  it  one  of  the  most  touching  death-bed  scenes  ever  wit- 
nessed. 

The  news  of  the  death  [May  20.]  spread  with  rapidity  over 
the  city,  and  flags  were  hoisted  at  half  mast  over  the  State 
Capitol,  Custom  House,  City  Hall,  and  the  engine  houses. 

the  obsequies. 

From  the  Pioneer-Press,  May  24. 1876. 

Yesterday  was  one  of  the  most  beautiful  spring  days  that 
ever  dawned.  Nature  wore  her  brightest  smile,  but  the  hearts 
of  the  people  of  this  city  were  sad  and  heavy;  for  it  was  their 
painful  duty,  on  that  perfect  day,  to  follow  to  its  last  resting 
place,  the  remains  of  one  of  their  number  who  had  long  held 
a  position  of  honor  in  their  councils  and  in  their  hearts. 
They  were  to  pay  the  last  tribute  of  affection,  and  look  for 
the  last  time  upon  the  features,  of  one  who  for  nearly  a  quar- 
ter of  a  century  has  moved  among  them,  and  who  now  had 
the  affectionate  regards  of  all. 

The  death  of  such  a  man  is  regarded  as  a  public  calamity, 
and  hence,  yesterday,  the  day  of  the  funeral  of  the  lamented 
deceased,  was  a  day  of  general  mourning,  and  during  the  hours 
devoted  to  the  funeral  services,  business  was  almost  suspended. 
Men  left  the  marts  of  trade  to  pay  their  last  sad  respects  to 
the  departed  citizen. 

The  hour  set  for  the  service  was  half  past  ten  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  long  before  that  time,  throngs  flowed  into  the  spa- 
cious cathedral,  or  gathered  in  its  vicinity,  awaiting  the  arri- 


326  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

val  of  the  funeral  cortege.  On  every  side  were  heard  eulogies 
of  the*  deceased;  all  remembered  him  with  kindness,  and  spoke 
of  him  in  terms  of  praise.  As  the  hour  approached,  the  Bar 
Association,  numbering  upwards  of  seventy  lawyers,  filed  into 
the  cathedral,  headed  hy  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  and  Dis- 
trict Courts,  and  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  They  were 
seated  in  pews  at  the  left  of  the  center  aisle.  Shortly  after, 
an  escort  of  forty  guns,  from  the  20th  U.  S.  Infantry,  officered 
by  Capt.  CoE  and  Lieuts.  Wishard  and  Bannister,  appeared 
with  the  full  regimental  band,  and  took  position  in  front  of 
the  church.  Gen.  Sykes,  of  the  20th,  arrived  with  his  staff, 
and  passed  to  sittings  reserved  for  them. 

In  the  meantime,  an  escort  consisting  of  the  Mayor  and 
Council,  the  city  officers,  the  veterans  of  the  Mexican  war, 
many  members  of  the  old  Minnesota  1st,  the  Acker  Post  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  a  large  body  of  the 
members  of  the  fire  department,  had  proceeded  with  the  Great 
Western  band  to  the  house  of  mourning.  Receiving  the  re- 
mains, the  procession  escorted  it  and  the  bereaved  family  to 
the  Cathedral,  passing  up  College  avenue  to  St.  Anthony  hill, 
and  thence  by  Third,  Wabasha  and  Sixth  streets. 

The  plain,  rich  casket  was  lifted  from  the  hearse  and  car- 
ried by  the  pall  bearers  to  the  steps  of  the  sanctuary.  The 
friends  who  were  selected  for  this  sad  task  were  Gen.  H.  H. 
Sibley,  H.  M.  Rice,  J.  S.  Prince,  J.  M.  Gilman,  H.  F.  Mas- 
TERSON,  Morris  Lamprey,  Col.  Robertson  and  James  Star- 
key.  The  bearers  occupied  the  front  pews  in  the  center  aisle, 
immediately  in  front  of  the  members  of  the  family,  who 
mourned  a  loving  husband,  father  and  friend.  Back  of  them, 
and  filling  the  great  number  of  pews  on  each  side  of  the  long 
aisle,  were  the  citizen  soldiery  who  had  been  comrades  with 
the  General  in  times  of  war,  while  behind  the  Bar  Association 
were  located  Gov.  Pillsbury,  with  the  State  officers,  ex-Gov. 
Davis,  Mayor  Maxfield,  the  City  Council,  the  county  officers 
and  county  board,  and  representatives  from  the  Stock  Raisers'' 
Association,  the  State  Agricultural  society  and  other  organi- 
zations with  which  the  deceased  was  connected.  The  remain- 
der of  the  space  in  the  great  edifice,  was  thronged  with  sympa- 
thizing citizens  and  their  families. 


LIFE  OF   HON^.   W.   A.   GORMAN,  327 

The  sanctuary  wore  the  sable  garb  of  mourning,  and  the 
glancing  beams  of  the  blazing  star  over  the  high  altar,  shed 
a  mystic  light  upon  the  funeral  symbols.  The  impressive 
requiem  mass  was  celebrated,  Rev.  Father  JoHiq"  Shanley 
officiating,  the  grand  music  by  Muller  being  finely  rendered 
by  a  choir  of  about  twenty  singers.  A  most  tender  and 
eloquent  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop 
Ireland,  who  selected  the  words:  ''  It  is  appointed  unto  man 
once  to  die,  and  after  death  the  judgment."  The  discourse 
produced  a  profound  impression  on  the  immense  congrega- 
tion, and  it  was  indeed  a  beautiful  tribute  to  the  dead.  The 
preacher  closed  with  an  impressive  peroration,  after  which 
the  last  sad  rites  were  performed  over  the  remains.  The 
casket  was  then  opened  and  thousands  gazed  for  the  last  time 
upon  the  honored  and  familiar  face. 

The  pall  bearers  again  raising  the  coffin,  on  whose  lid  had 
been  placed  a  cross,  an  anchor,  a  star  and  a  wreath,  all 
wrought  of  beautiful  cut  flowers,  passed  from  the  church  as 
the  organist  played  a  requiem  march.  The  procession  was 
of  great  length,  and  presented  a  most  imposing  appearance, 
surpassing  any  ever  before  seen  in  this  community.  It  passed 
up  Wabasha  street  to  Rice,  where  all  of  the  escort  on  foot, 
except  the  detachment  of  the  regular  army,  filed  from  the 
line  and  returned  to  the  city.  On  reaching  Oakland  ceme- 
tery, the  cortege  proceeded  directly  to  the  beautiful  family 
lot  in  the  western  corner  of  the  grounds,  and  in  the  presence 
of  the  family  and  friends,  the  remains  of  General  Gorman 
were  gently  lowered  to  their  last  resting  place,  and  after 
many  dear  ones  had  bestowed  floral  oflerings  upon  the  lid  of 
the  coffin,  the  firing  party  of  the  Twentieth  infantry  dis- 
charged three  volleys  over  the  grave,  the  soldiers'  salute  to  a 
comrade  gone.  Slowly  and  sadl}',  the  bereaved  friends  sought 
their  carriages,  and  returned  to  the  busy  scenes  of  life. 


328  MIN^NESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

EULOGY  BY  EX-GOV.  C.  K.  DAVIS,  BEFORE  THE  RAMSEY  COUNTY  BAR 
ASSOCIATION. 

At  a  meeting:  of  the  Ramsey  County  Bar  Association,  held  on  May  24, 
1876,  Gen.  John  B.  Sanborn  offered  resolutions  expressive  of  the  respect 
felt  by  the  Bar  for  their  deceased  associate,  and  their  sorrow  at  his  loss, 
accompanying  them  by  a  warm  eulogy  on  his  character. 

Ex-Gov.  CusHMAN  K.  Davis  then  spoke  as  follows: 

Mr.  President:  The  custom  which  directs  the  bar  to  com- 
memorate the  virtues  and  abilities  of  its  departed  members 
by  making  the  record  of  justice  the  depository  of  such  tri- 
butes as  have  just  been  rendered,  is  at  no  time  so  fully  vindi- 
cated as  on  occasions  like  this,  when  the  oldest  lawyer  at  the 
bar  is  summoned  to  go  the  way  of  all  the  earth. 

It  is  in  a  certain  sense  a  final  and  irreversible  judgment  of 
affirmance  pronounced  upon  the  record  of  a  well  spent  life. 
Gen.  Gorman"  was  a  man  who,  in  his  time,  played  many 
parts,  and  no  estimate  of  him  will  be  nearly  adequate,  which 
does  not  take  them  all  into  consideration,  not  only  to  illus- 
trate his  merits,  but  also  to  explain  how  immaterial  are  the 
imperfections  which  necessarily  inhere  in,  but  do  not  blemish 
a  character,  which  has  been  tried  by  so  many  tests.  Many  a 
man,  by  adhering  to  the  plane  and  level  of  one  profession,  ar- 
rives at  that  dull  and  uninteresting  perfection  which  leaves 
nothing  for  panegyric,  but  common  place,  and  absolutely 
nothing  for  censure.  This  father  of  our  bar  was  not  of  these; 
he  was  a  soldier,  a  statesman  and  a  lawyer.  He  ran  those 
careers,  and  each  with  honor.  He  has  received  the  cavil  and 
the  praise  incident  to  each,  and  at  the  end  of  each  has  been 
met  with  honor  by  those  who  sent  him  forth.  It  is  probably 
because  my  personal  relations  to  him,  during  and  since  the 
late  war,  were  so  intimate,  that  I  have  been  asked  to  give  ex- 
pression of  the  sentiments  which  are  entertained  towards  him 
by  his  professional  brethren,  who  knew  him  better  than  any 
others. 

The  declaration  of  war  with  Mexico,  found  him  a  young 
man  in  the  fullness  of  his  intellectual  and  physical  vigor.  At 
the  first  call  of  his  country,  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  answer, 
and  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  that  war  of  aggrandize- 
ment and  conquest,  which  resulted  in  giving  to  the  nation, 


LIFE  OF   HON".   W.   A.   GORMAIT.  329 

not  only  its  dominant  position  upon  the  Pacific,  but  also  ter- 
ritorial and  political  symmetry  throughout,  he  was  con  tin- 
ally  in  the  field,  participating  in  every  battle  fought  by  the 
army  to  which  he  belonged,  and  what  is  of  equal,  though 
perhaps  of  less  resplendent  glory,  aiding  by  his  civil  abilities 
to  make  the  history  of  the  military  occupation  of  the  con- 
quered country  so  honorable  to  our  nation,  by  its  freedom 
from  rapine,  and  from  that  victorious  insolence  which  gener- 
ally marks  the  demeanor  of  successful  invaders.  He  was  for 
a  time,  military  Governor  of  one  of  the  largest  Mexican  cities, 
and  it  is  the  concurrent  testimony  of  all  who  witnessed  his 
administration,  that  the  presence  of  the  conquering  array  was 
hardly  felt,  The  courts  of  justice  were  opened.  The  magis- 
tracy was  sustained  in  its  administration  of  the  law  of  that 
land.  No  temple  was  desecrated,  no  sacred  bound  of  proper- 
ty was  broken  down,  no  domestic  privacy  was  invaded,  no 
private  right  was  infringed.  He  came  from  that  contest 
with  honorable  hurts  of  body,  but  bearing  a  secure  record  of 
duty  well  performed  by  a  patriot. 

When  the  war  for  the  Union  began,  the  first  gun  fired  by 
the  hands  of  confederate  traitors,  aroused  all  of  the  patriot- 
ism of  his  nature.  It  is  not  for  me  to  tell  you  who  heard 
and  saw  all  that  he  did  then,  to  recite  his  stirring  appeals  for 
the  perpetuity  of  the  Union  of  our  fathers;  how  he  forgot 
party;  how  utterly  he  abhorred  the  timorous  and  vacillating 
cry  of  "peace,"  when  there  was  no  peace;  how,  at  his  call,  was 
marshalled,  with  electric  quickness,  that  first  regiment,  the 
pride  and  glory  of  the  State,  whose  record  under  his  com- 
mand is  written,  ineflfaceably,  in  the  history  of  those  dark  and 
doubtful  days,  when  Liberty  stood  stabbed  and  tottering 
among  her  contending  sons. 

During  the  latter  part  of  his  military  career,  my  relations 
toward  him  were  most  intimate.  His  demeanor  towards  me 
was  most  paternal.  I  was  struck  at  once  with  his  desire  for 
the  subordination  of  the  military  to  the  civil  law.  I  never 
knew  him  to  countenance  the  use  of  the  military  power  to 
abridge  or^to  decide  a  civil  right.  As  characteristic  of  his  dis- 
position, I  may  mention  that  when  he  assumed  command  at 
Helena,  the  city  had  been  in  federal  occupation  for  nearly 


330  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

one  year.  Every  trace  of  civil  administration  was  gone. 
The  courts  had  been  closed  for  months.  It  was  an  important 
commercial  point,  and  within  that  time  some  very  extensive 
mercantile  establishments  had  been  founded,  whose  large 
transactions  necessarily  gave  rise  to  legal  questions.  Appeals 
to  him  for  redress  of  clear  grievances  were  frequent.  He 
would  not  be  persuaded  to  touch  them  by  any  direct  decision 
of  his  own.  He  selected  from  his  command  three  officers, 
each  eminent  members  of  the  legal  i^rofession,  established 
a  court  of  civil  jurisdiction,  of  which  they  were  the  judges. 
They  were  ordered  to  proceed  according  to  the  form  of  the 
common  law,  upon  matters  which  had  arisen  since  the  cap- 
ture of  the  city.  I  remember  particularly  one  important 
case,  where  a  bill  was  filed  for  the  dissolution  of  a  mercantile 
partnership,  upon  charges  of  fraud  against  the  resident  and 
managing  partner.  A  receiver  was  appointed,  the  accounts 
were  stated,  and  the  entire  business  closed  most  equitably. 
Ex-United  States  Senator  Sebastian  was  one  of  the  counsel 
in  the  case,  and  was  unqualified  in  his  praise  of  the  integrity 
and  ability  of  the  court.  The  stability  and  security  which 
were  thus  given  to  the  business  interests  of  the  town,  can 
hardly  be  appreciated  by  any  one  who  has  not  witnessed  the 
utter  lawlessness  of  transient  civilians,  in  places  which  are 
under  military  rule  solely.  It  is  well  known  that  on  many 
political  questions  which  were  necessarily  incident  to  the 
conduct  of  the  war,  his  views  were  not  in  accordance  with 
many  of  the  extreme  measures  which  the  administration  felt 
compelled  to  adopt.  As  a  matter  of  personal  judgment,  he 
was  never  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  arming  the  freedmen, 
though  he  warmly  approved  their  emancipation. 

But  when  it  became  apparent  that  the  admi-nistration  was 
about  to  arm  the  colored  people,  he  anticipated  its  action  by 
organizing  and  drilling  a  regiment  of  freedmen,  so  that  when 
the  orders  came  to  put  arms  into  the  hands  of  these  people^ 
they  were  ready  to  receive  them  and  go  into  the  service.  This 
regiment  was  the  First  Arkansas,  and  did  its  full  duty  in  aid- 
ing to  repel  the  attack  which  was  made  upon  the  town  en  the 
morning  of  July  4,  1864. 

As  a  statesman  he  was  prominently  identified,  as  a  member 


LIFE   OF   HON.   W.   A.   GORMAN.  331 

of  Congress,  with  the  compromise  measures  which  were  so 
luUy  discussed  in  1849  and  1850.  He  bore  a  most  conspicuous 
and  honorable  part  in  shaping  the  frame  of  our  present  State 
government.  His  administration  while  Governor  of  the  Terri- 
tory was  marked  by  independence,  ability  and  honesty.  He 
was  never  accused  of  being  the  tool  or  property  of  any  ring 
or  clique.  They  who  remember,  most  distinctly  and  with 
some  feeling,  the  warm  contests  of  that  period,  do  not  charge 
him  with  betrayal  of  any  trust.  Among  his  acts  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Constitutional  Convention,  he  was  accustomed  to 
recur,  with  honorable  pride,  to  his  efforts  in  aiding  to  establish 
the  policy  of  this  State,  in  regard  to  the  Common  School 
Fund. 

His  errors,  if  there  are  any,  are  forgotten,  for  they  are  upon 
collateral  and  transitory  questions.  In  all  that  pertained  to 
the  permanent  well-being  of  the  State,  his  actions  have  stood 
the  test  of  time,  and  none  of  their  results  ever  arose  in 
reproach  against  him  in  his  latter  years. 

In  his  profession,  he  had  no  superior  as  an  advocate.  His 
devotion  to  a  client  knew  no  bounds,  and  he  brought  to  the 
trial  of  any  case  in  which  he  was  engaged,  resources  and  tact 
which  made  him  a  most  dangerous  antagonist.  When  he 
had  mastered  the  legal  principles  involved  in  a  case,  his  pre- 
sentation of  them  to  the  court  was  marked  with  great  power 
of  reasoning  and  precision  of  statement.  The  last  years  of 
his  life  were  engrossed  in  the  legal  business  incident  to  the 
office  of  City  Attorney,  and  all  of  us  know  how  entirely  he 
devoted  himself  to  its  duties;  how  faithful  he  was  to  the  in- 
terests of  this  community.  He  was  a  lovable  man.  There 
was  no  kinder  neighbor.  No  man  ever  heard  him  derogate, 
by  a  malignant  word,  the  fair  fame  of  man  or  woman.  He 
preserved,  through  his  long  and  difficult  career,  that  purity 
of  mind,  which  is  so  often  lost  under  the  influence  of  great 
success,  or  great  disappointments.  He  never  did,  or  coun- 
selled, a  mean  act.  His  position  on  any  question  could  be 
ascertained  for  the  asking.  His  large  generosity  expanded  in 
the  praise  of  other  men;  he  had  none  of  that  spirit  of  detrac- 


40 


332  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

tion  which  speaks  to  their  detriment.  Who  is  there  of  us 
who  would  be  more  missed  than  he  ? 

Never  again  for  any  of  us  in  this  world  will  glance  that 
kindly  eye — will  sound  that  sweet  and  sympathetic  voice — 
will  clasp  that  warm  and  stainless  hand. 

He  might  have  filled  a  larger  space  in  the  view  of  men,  but 
we  could  not  have  loved  and  honored  him  more,  had  he  been 

one 

"  Who  makes  by  force  his  merit  known, 
And  lives  to  clutch  the  golden  keys, 
To  mould  a  mighty  State's  decrees, 
And  shape  the  whisper  of  the  throne." 

It  is  one  of  the  facts  to  which  we  cannot  reconcile  our- 
selves, that  the  force  of  such  personal  examples  as  his,  per- 
ishes so  soon.  Nothing  is  permanent  but  the  permanency  of 
change;  and  the  sure  and  saddening  change  in  which  a  good 
man  disappears,  and  shortly  after,  his  memory  and  his  works 
go  after  him,  ''Like  a  dream  of  the  shadow  of  smoke,"  seems 
to  us  who,  look  with  finite  vision,  like  uncompensated  loss. 
Let  us  protect  him  and  his  memory,  as  far  as  we  may,  against 
the  inevitable  resolution  of  all  things  into  dim  forge tfulness. 
Assuring  ourselves  that  in  our  time  we  shall  not  see,  fortunate 
will  those  who  come  after  us  be,  if  they  can  possess  as  a  com- 
panion, so  brave,  so  faithful,  so  spotless  a  man  as  Willis 
Arnold  Gorman. 


LAKE  SUPERIOR. 


ITS  HISTORY— ROMANCE  OF  THE  FUR  TRADE— ITS  PHYSICAL 
FEATURES— TREATIES— THE  VOYAGEURS,  ETC. 


ANNUAL  ADDRESS,  DELIVERED  BEFORE  THE  MINNESOTA  HISTORI- 
CAL SOCIETY,  JAN.  24, 1879. 


BY  HON.  JAMES  H.   BAKEK. 

There  is  an  aristocracy  in  nature,  as  among  men.  There 
are  natural  objects  of  such  extent  and  grandeur,  that  they 
are  forever  in  the  eye  of  the  world.  The  altitude  of  moun- 
tains, the  extent  of  continents,  the  volume  and  length  of 
rivers,  are  always  sources  of  admiration  and  pride.  Their 
greatness  swells  the  mind  with  a  sense  of  their  majesty  and 
grandeur.  That  wonderful  chain  of  great  lakes,  enthroned 
on  a  great  volcanic  upheaval  in  the  ce^iter  of  the  North  Amer- 
ican continent,  and  descending  in  grand  gradations,  from 
great  altitudes,  now  over  rapids  like  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie, 
and  again  over  cataracts  like  Niagara,  to  the  plain  of  the 
ocean,  present  a  series  of  "unsalted  seas,"  whose  extent,  mar- 
velous beauty  and  picturesque  grandeur,  give  them  pre-emi- 
nent rank  among  the  commanding  objects  of  the  natural 
world.  But  excelling  all  other  lakes  in  the  ample  volume  of 
its  waters,  like  the  Himalaya  among  mountains,  or  the  Ama- 
zon among  rivers,  is  that  one  whose  simple  name  alone,  indi- 
cates its  surpassing  greatness, — Lake  Superior. 


334  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

When  it  was,  in  what  epoch  of  the  world's  great  iiistor}', 
these  grim  masses  of  primitive  rock  in  which  this  lake  lies 
imbedded  first  lifted  their  basaltic  scalps  to  the  sky,  the  geol- 
ogist himself  cannot  tell.  When  the  waters  went  down,  and 
the  volcanic  masses  up,  it  matters  not.  Millions  of  years 
gaze  at  yon  from  the  grey  cliffs  which  encircle  this  sea.  And 
the  same  primitive  upheaval  spreads  north,  through  realms 
as  large  as  Europe,  filled  with  wild  lakes,  roaring  cataracts, 
rugged  cliffs  and  impassable  solitudes,  in  savage  grandeur,  to 
that  frozen  zone  where  the  wild  swan  flies  to  his  summer 
home.  Everything  about  this  lake  is  inspiring.  More  than 
a  thousand  miles  from  the  sea,  it  reproduces  in  the  heart  of  a 
continent  the  majesty  and  power  of  the  "dark,  deep,  blue 
ocean."  It  is  a  sea,  not  a  lake.  It  breeds  storms  and  foffs 
and  rain,  like  an  ocean.  It  is  an  independent  factor  iu  the 
world's  water  system. 

OF  THE  PRE-HISTORIC   RACE  ON  ITS  SHORES. 

We  are  accustomed  to  think  of  this  great  inland  sea  as  be- 
ing wholly  alone  in  the  solitudes  of  nature,  till  revealed  by  the 
Jesuit  missionaries  of  the  seventeenth  century.  But  it  is  a 
region  not  without  annals.  It  is  true  there  are  no  ruins,  no 
broken  temples,  and  no  living  spectres  of  dead  empires  salute 
the  eye  along  its  shores.  And  yet  the  pre-historic  man  has 
been  there.  The  antiquarian  can  visit  the  southern  shores 
and  islands  of  the  great  lake  with  delight.  Here  are  rich 
legacies  of  the  immemorial  past.  The  southern  shore  of  the 
great  lake  for  175  miles,  is  bounded  by  alternate  beds  of  trap 
and  conglomerate  of  the  Lower  Silurian  age.  In  these  an- 
cient beds  are  veins  of  native  copper.  That  this  copper-bear- 
ing region  was  resorted  to  in  remote  ages  by  a  race  of  whom 
the  Indians  themselves  have  no  tradition,  there  is  ample  tes- 
timony. There  are  the  opened  veins,  with  heaps  of  rubbish, 
in  which  have  been  found  chisels,  knives,  wooden  bowls  for 
bailing  water,  levers  for  raising  masses  of  copper,  and  ladders 
for  ascending  and  descending  the  pits.  There  are  other  and 
abundant  evidences  of  extensive  copper-mining.  None  of 
the  existing  tribes  of  Indians,  or  their  known  ancestors,  ever 


LAKE  superior;  ITS  HISTORY,  ETC.  335 

worked  these  mines.  The  Copper-Miners  were  connected 
with  tbe  Monnd-Builders,  for  free  copper  is  found  in  their 
mounds,  and  free  copper  is  not  found  elsewhere  in  the  United 
States  than  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior.  This  necessita- 
ted, and  proves,  a  great  inland  commerce  between  the  shores 
of  the  Ohio  river  and  the  great  lake,  at  some  pre-historic 
period.  We  have  but  re-discovered  these  copper  mines,  and 
now  supply  ourselves  from  the  same  sources  as  the  Mound- 
Builders.  From  their  works  in  pottery,  stone  and  metal,  it 
is  apparent  that  these  people  were  highly  civilized  for  that 
period.  Their's  were  the  arts  of  peace  and  industry,  as  shown 
by  their  memorials.  Who  these  people  were,  whither  they 
have  gone,  or  how  they  perished,  is  left  to  conjecture.  They 
had  no  Herodotus  to  transmit  their  story,  and  there  is  a  void 
in  human  history  that  forever  baffles  us.  How  long  since 
they  lived  and  flourished  on  these  shores,  is  not  wholly  con- 
jecture. Scientific  men  have  given  an  antiquity  of  not  less 
than  five  thousand,  and  more  probably  seven  thousand  years, 
to  the  Swiss-lake  habitations  recently  exhumed.  We  may 
therefore  safely  say,  from  like  data  and  reasoning,  based  upon 
memorative  works,  that  five  thousand  years  ago  an  active, 
industrious,  and  commercial  people  dwelt  upon  the  shores 
and  islands  of  Lake  Superior.  We  are  only  recording  upon 
those  shores  the  monuments  oi  a  second  civilization, 

HISTORIC  PERIOD  OF   THE   GREAT   LAKE — THE  JESUIT   FATHERS. 

Religion  was  the  grand  inspiring  motive  which  first  gave 
Lake  Superior  to  the  knowledge  of  our  era.  It  is  just  238 
years  since  the  followers  of  Loyola  first  landed  at  the  Sault 
Ste.  Marie,  at  the  lower  extremity  of  the  basin  of  this  inland 
sea.  Fathers  Jogues  and  Raimbault  landed  at  the  Sault  in 
16tl:l.  Rene  Mesnard  came  in  1660.  Allouez  came  in  1665, 
and  Marquette  in  1668,  Allouez  established  at  the  Sault  the 
first  permanent  mission,  and  explored  the  whole  southern 
shore  of  the  lake  seven  years  before  the  coming  of  Fronten'ac. 
These  two  latter  fathers  prepared  and  afterwards  published 
in  Paris,  the  first  rude  map  of  these  waters,  from  actual  obser- 
vation, in  1672,     Champlain  had  published  a  map  in  1665, 


336  MI1S"NES0TA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIOlfS. 

from  liearsaj^  and  located  Superior,  calling  it  the  "Grand  lac,"" 
Marquette  was  the  first  to  erect  his  cabin  on  the  American 
side  of  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie.  Thus  the  Jesuit  fathers  were  the 
first  white  men  upon  whose  vision  burst  the  splendid  scenes 
of  this  inland  sea.  Coming  to  plant  the  banner  of  the  Cross, 
they  first  explored  its  shores.  Tiiere  is  no  more  heroic  record 
than  that  of  these  devoted  missionaries.  They  only  required 
the  pen  of  a  Livy  to  have  made  their  history  immortal.  They 
endured  hunger,  cold,  scourging,  and  often  death  itself,  in 
threading  its  forests,  swimming  its  rivers,  and  coasting  in 
frail  canoes  its  rugged  and  dangerous  shores.  There  is  little 
which  remains  to  mark  their  heroic  advent  and  career,  for 
they  were  illy  received  by  the  natives,  and  too  often  sealed 
their  religious  devotion  ^vith  their  lives.  They  imprinted 
their  early  presence  as  nomenclators,  for  they  called  its  rivers, 
capes  and  islands  for  their  patron  saints.  The  first  discoverer 
of  the  great  lake.  Father  Isaac  Jogues,  was  afterwards  taken 
prisoner  by  the  Iroquois  Indians,  sufiered  the  most  terrible 
indignities,  his  hands  fearfully  mutilated,  and  he  was  scourged 
from  village  to  village,  when,  finally,  ransomed  by  a  Dutch 
officer,  he  returned  to  his  native  France.  He  demanded  of 
the  Pope  the  privilege  of  saying  mass,  and  those  torn  hands, 
which  had  been  mutilated  with  savage  barbarity  on  the  shores 
of  Lake  Superior,  were  lifted  in  mute  eloquence  before  the 
image  of  Jesus,  beneath  that  dome  made  immortal  b}^  the 
genius  of  Michael  Angelo.  It  should  here  be  noted  as  a 
fitting  triumph  to  the  discoveries  of  the  Jesuit  fathers,  that 
Marquette,  crossing  the  great  lake  in  a  bark  canoe,  first  dis- 
covered the  Mississippi  on  the  17th  of  June,  1673.  Bancroft 
says,  "  The  people  of  the  West  will  yet  build  his  monument." 
The  Minnesota  Historical  Society  should  certainly  desire  to 
place  a  stone  in  such  a  memorial  pillar. 

the  natives  whom  the   JESUITS   FOUND. 

The  Jesuit  fathers  found  its  shores  the  fastnesses  of  numer- 
ous warlike  tribes.  Chief  among  these  were  the  Chippewas. 
They  were  found  in  force,  and  filled  almost  the  entire  basin 
of  Superior.     A  powerful  race,  tracing  their  origin  centuries 


LAKE  superior;  ITS   HISTORY,  ETC.  337 

back  to  the  waters  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  they  had  followed  the 
great  water-courses  to  the  west,  and  when  the  Jesuits  came, 
were  the  predominating  power  of  the  great  lake.  The  French 
early  formed  an  alliance  with  these  Indians,  and  the  attach- 
ment subsists  to  this  day.  Their  language  the  French  called 
the  court  language  of  the  Aborigines.  The  Chippewas  gave 
the  name  Kitchi-Giimmi  or  ''  Big  Lake,''  to  Lake  Superior. 
From  their  nomenclature  the  missionaries  called  it  the  great, 
or  Superior  Lake.  Schoolcraft,  who  spent  eleven  years  of 
his  life  among  these  Indians,  at  the  foot  ol  the  lake,  says  that 
the  Chippewa  name  gives  the  idea  of  ''sea,"  and  as  a  poetical 
synonym  he  gave  it  the  name  of  "  Algona,"  which  means, 
"  Sea  of  the  Algonquins." 


MYTHOLOGICAL  KOTIONS. 

It  is  not  altogether  certain  but  the  name  of  our  State  is 
also  of  Chippewa  origin.  In  one  of  my  expeditions  upon  the 
north  shore,  being  accompanied  by  an  intelligent  Chippewa 
chief,  I  found  the  shrub.  Balm  of  Gilead,  a  small  tree  of  med- 
icinal virtue,  in  great  abundance.  He  gave  me  its  Chippewa 
name  as  Mah-nu-sa-tia^  and  said  it  was  the  name  given  by 
their  people  to  all  that  country  west  of  the  great  lake,  because 
it  was  the  country  yielding  the  Mah-nu-sa-tia.  On  convers- 
ing with  other  intelligent  Chippewas,  I  found  this  statement 
was  invariably  confirmed.  They  claim  it  as  the  traditional 
name  of  the  land  to  the  west  of  the  lake.  As  they  pronounce 
the  name  of  the  shrub,  .it  has  the  familiar  sound  of  the  oft- 
quoted  Sioux  word,  Min-ne-sO'ta.  It  is  among  the  probabili- 
ties that  the  Jesuit  fathers  first  used  this  term  from  the  Chip- 
pewas. 

We  must  remember  that  Minnesota  was  discovered  by  the 
way  of  Lake  Superior;  that  those  who  discovered  it  were 
learned  only  in  the  Chippewa  language;  that  the  Chippewas 
were  their  only  and  daily  associates,  and  that,  in  the  absence  of 
all  other  names,  they  would  certainly  presumably  follow  the 
Chippewa  nomenclature.  Nearly  all  our  names  east  of  the 
Mississippi  river,  were  from  the  Jesuit  fathers,  through  Chip- 


338  MIKI^TESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIOJiTS. 

pewa  sources;  why  not  that  of  the  State  als*o?  The  early 
Chippewas  of  two  centuries  ago,  were  a  bold,  brave  people. 
They  impressed  themselves  upon  the  whole  lake  region. 
Their  homes  extended  from  far  east  of  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie, 
and  to  the  west  beyond  the  waters  of  the  St.  Louis  river. 
The  shores  of  the  great  lake  abound  in  their  mythology. 
Their  great  chief  dwelt  on  one  of  the  Apostle  islands.  There, 
too,  was  the  residence  of  "  Mishosta,"  who  possessed  a  magic 
canoe,  which  would  shoot  through  the  waters  by  uttering  a 
charmed  word.  There,  also,  was  a  rude  temple,  and  tradition 
says  that  an  eternal  fire  was  kept  up,  with  a  temple  service. 
They  peopled  the  shores  of  the  great  lakes  with  innumerable 
spirits,  giants,  and  wizards,  who  were  wakeful  during  summer, 
but  slept  during  winter.  Their  traditions  and  power  encircled 
these  waters,  and  from  its  earliest  discovery  almost  till  this 
day,  Lake  Superior  has  been  essentially  a  Chippewa  lake. 

ORIGIN"    OF    THE    SIOUX   AKD   CHIPPEWA    FEUD — FAlfl-CIFUL 
ORIGIiq"  OF   THE   WHITEFISH. 

Along  these  shores  was  the  origin  of  that  ancient  feud  which 
has  endured  for  three  centuries  between  the  Sioux  and  the 
Chippewas,  more  intense  and  bitter  than  the  War  of  the 
Roses.  It  began  about  the  year  1650.  The  tradition  of  its 
origin,  as  given  by  Schoolcraft,  is  that  a  Menominee  chief 
ordered  the  mouth  of  the  Menominee  river  stopped,  so  that 
the  fish  could  not  ascend.  This  caused  a  famine  among  the 
Chippewas  who  dwelt  in  the  interior.  The  Sioux  supported 
the  Menominees  in  this  unfriendly  act.  Hence  the  bitter 
quarrel  which  has  embittered  and  ensanguined  all  these  years. 

The  Sault  Ste.  Marie  is  given  as  the  place  of  the  fanciful 
origin  of  the  whitefish,  the  most  delicious  fish  of  the  lakes. 
In  the  stomach  of  these  fish  are  found  white  particles  like  roe, 
or  particles  of  brain.  The  Chippewa  tradition  therefore  has 
it  that  this  fish  sprang  from  the  brain  of  a  woman  who  fell 
into  the  rapids,  and  had  her  skull  dashed  to  pieces  >on  the 
rocks.  She  had  been  guilty  of  a  domestic  infidelity,  and  in 
being  carried  across  the  rapids  on  the  back  of  a  chief,  he  threw 
her  into  the  foaming  flood,  and  thus  accomplished  the  poetic 
justice  of  the  tale. 


r 


LAKE  SUPERIOK;  ITS  HISTORY,  ETC.  339 

THE  FIRST  TRADERS  OlS"  THE  LAKE  — ALEXANDER    HEISTRY — FIRST 
COPPER  COMPANY,  AKD  SILVER  FIRST  FOUND. 

But  as  early  as  1760,  the  adventurous  Frenchman  and 
robust  Saxon  came,  to  work  a  change  in  the  scenes  and  pos- 
sessorship  of  the  great  lake.  Traders  were  numerous  and 
quarrelsome.  But  in  1765,  by  an  edict  of  royal  authority, 
the  traders  were  required  to  procure  license,  and  were  to  some 
extent  under  the  surveillance  of  the  military  authorities. 
The  first  authorized  trader  was  Alexander  Henry,^  grand- 
father of  Norman  W.  Kittson,  Esq.,  of  St.  Paul,  to  whom, 
in  1765,  was  given  authority  for  the  exclusive  trade  of  Lake 
Superior.  His  first  stock  consisted  of  the  freight  of  four 
large  canoes,  on  a  twelve  months'  credit,  to  be  paid  for  in 
beaver  pelts.  Furs  were  the  only  circulating  medium,  the 
"greenbacks  "  of  that  day.  The  pursuit  of  pelts  was  the  one 
and  only  business  of  that  era.  ,A11  accounts  were  kept  in 
beaver  skins.  The  market  prices  are  quoted  in  the  old 
journals.  A  single  blanket  was  worth  ten  beaver  skins;  a 
common  gun,  twenty  skins;  a  pound  of  powder,  two;  and  a 
pound  of  shot,  one.  A  pint  of  rum  would  buy  anything  an 
Indian  possessed.  Some  idea  of  the  extent  of  this  trade  may 
be  learned  frOm  the  fact  that  Henry,  in  one  short  expedition 
to  the  North  Shore,  in  three  days'  trading,  secured  12,000 
beaver  skins,  besides  many  otter  and  marten.  Henry's  his- 
tory on  Lake  Superior,  from  1760  to  1776,  is  a  series  of  the 


1  Alexander  Henry  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  August,  1739.  In  1760  he  joined 
the  expedition  against  Canada,  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Montreal,  and 
surrender  of  Canada.  He  then  entered  trade  at  Montreal,  and  was,  in  1761, 
induced  to  engage  in  the  fur  trade  at  Mackinac,  to  which  place  he  took  a  stock 
of  goods.  On  June  4, 1763,  Fort  Michilimackinac  was  surprised  and  captured  by 
the  Ojibwas,  and  the  English  inhabitants  massacred.  Henry  was  concealed  in 
M,  Langlade's  house,  by  a  slave  Indian  woman,  and  his  life  thus  spared,  but  he 
was  soon  discovered  by  the  savages,  and  made  prisoner.  All  his  property  was 
lost.  He  remained  a  prisoner  a  year,  and  was  then  released  at  Fort  Niagara. 
He  afterwards  (17C5)  returned  to  Mackinac,  and  secured  a  permit  for  the  exclu- 
sive trade  of  Lake  Superior.  He  entered  into  partnership  with  Michael 
Cadotte.  and  established  a  post  at  Chagoueraig.  In  1775  he  visited  tlie  Hudson's 
Bay  region  with  an  outfit  of  goods.  He  went  as  far  as  Cumberland  House  and 
Churchill  river,  and  returned  to  Montreal  in  October,  1776.  He  soon  after- 
ward embarked  in  business  in  Montreal,  in  which  he  was  engaged  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  and  was  also  the  King's  Auctioneer  for  that  district.  He  published 
a  very  valuable  and  interesting  account  of  his  travels  and  adventures  in  the 
Northwest.    He  died  at  Montreal,  April  4th,  1824,  W. 


340  MIKKESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

most  remarkable  adventures  and  romantic  fortunes.  He  was 
possessed  of  that  robust  courage  and  heroic  daring  essential 
to  his  era.  In  1770,  papers  were  issued  in  England  to  Mr. 
Henry,  in  company  with  a  Mr.  Baxter,  ''for  a  company  of 
adventurers  to  work  the  copper  mines  of  Lake  Superior." 
They  opened  veins  on  both  the  north  and  south  shore.  But 
the  enterprise  proved  a  failure.  In  one  of  their  mineral  ex- 
peditions, a  Russian  gentleman  picked  up  a  piece  of  ore  of 
eight  pounds  weight,  took  it  to  England,  and  it  yielded  silver 
at  the  rate  of  60  pounds  of  silver  to  100  pounds  of  ore.  It 
was  deposited  in  the  British  Museum,  and  is  the  first  recorded 
specimen  of  silver  from  Lake  Superior.  Other  similar  speci- 
mens were  afterwards  found  by  servants  of  the  fur  companies ; 
but  such  explorations  were  strictly  prohibited,  as  the  sole  in- 
terest authorized  and  encouraged  by  these  great  companies 
was  the  fur  business,  to  which  an  empire  was  devoted  and  a 
race  sacrificed. 

the  reign  of  the  fur  companies — THEIR  WARS  AND  CONSOLI- 
DATIONS. 

But  in  1784  the  celebrated  Northwest  Fur  Company  was 
organized  at  Montreal  from  among  the  most  active  of  the 
traders.  They  monopolized  the  shores  of  the  lake,  and  with 
relentless  severity  expelled  all  private  adventurers.  The 
Hudson  Bay  company's  posts  had  not  yet  reached  that  far 
south.  The  Northwest  company  were  lords  of  the  lake. 
They  dwelt  in  semi-baronial  state  at  their  grand  chateau  at 
the  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  or  transacted  the  yearly  business  at  their 
castellated  rendezvous  at  Grand  Portage,  now  in  Lake  county, 
Minnesota.  The  domination  of  this  power  along  the  great 
lake  was  marked  by  despotism,  yet  full  of  adventure,  cour- 
age and  dissolute  ways.  Far  away  from  the  eye  of  authority 
and  civilization,  while  they  gathered  rich  cargoes  of  furs,  they 
sowed  the  seeds  of  debauchery  and  wrong.  The  X.  Y.  com- 
pany was  organized  in  1798,  at  Montreal,  by  strong  men,  with 
capital,  who  had  been  excluded  from  the  organization  of  the 
former  company.  Great  jealousj'  ensued,  followed  b}'  violence 
and  even  murder,  on  the  shores  of  the  distant  lake.     Finally, 


LAKE  superior;  its  history,  etc.  341 

the  companies  coalesced,  and  liid  in  oblivion  their  wars  and 
their  wickedness.  Then  followed  the  war  of  interests,  and 
the  war  in  fact,  between  the  advancing  posts  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  company  towards  the  north.  Open  robbery,  violence 
and  bloodshed,  marked  this  commercial  competition.  They 
destroj^ed  each  other's  posts  and  shot  each  other's  agents,  and 
thus  war  raged  on  our  northern  confines  long  j^ears  before 
there  was  a  white  settlement  in  Southern  Minnesota.  While 
this  feud  thus  continued  in  the  wilderness  with  unabated 
fury,  it  was  carried  to  the  courts  and  to  the  British  parlia- 
ment, and  finally  a  compromise  and  a  second  consolidation 
of  both  of  these  great  fur  interests  was  effected  on  the  26th 
day  of  March,  1821. 

THE  FIRST  SAILORS  OF  LAKE  SUPERIOR — A  WONDERFUL    RACE — 
THE  yOYAGEURS. 

But  we  must  pause  here  to  notice  a  body  of  men,  brought 
into  action  by  the  fur  companies,  who  rapidly  became  a  dis- 
tinctive class,  and  who  have  a  history,  filled  with  romantic 
daring.  The  voyageurs  and  courieurs  des  hois  were  the 
pioneers  of  the  commerce  of  Lake  Superior.  They  were  the 
fearless  men  who  brought  the  companies'  supplies  along  the 
entire  chain  of  lakes  and  rivers,  from  Montreal  to  the  Grand 
Portage,  on  the  north  shore  of  Lake  Superior,  in  large  open 
canoes;  or  more  daring  still,  had  gathered  the  company's  furs 
alojig  the  distant  posts  on  the  Saskatchewan  and  Peace  rivers, 
and  even  from  Lake  Athabasca  and  Great  Slave  Lake  itself, 
and  brought  them  through  wild  lakes,  along  roaring  rivers, 
and  portaging  over  rocks  and  around  cataracts  to  the  Grand 
Portage.  This  was  a  year's  work.  They  assembled  annually 
at  the  Grand  Portage,  the  first  of  each  July,  to  interchange 
furs  and  supplies.  Here  the  accounts  were  settled,  and  the 
pelts  assorted,  pressed  and  packed.  Then  there  was  a  grand 
frolic;  gallons  of  rum  were  issued,  the  violin  and  bagpipe 
pealed  forth  enlivening  strains;  the  banqueting  hall,  which 
was  sixty  feet  long,  groaned  with  game  and  fish,  and  they 
danced  till  morning.  Not  less  than- fifteen  hundred  people, 
of  both  sexes,  were  assembled  at  these  gatherings;  and  one 


342  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

hundred  large,  and  two  hundred  small  canoes,  were  in  the  navy- 
yard  at  that  time.  Such  were  the  scenes  of  activity  and  life 
on  the  shore  of  Lake  Superior  at  the  very  time  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence.  Bat  the  vo y a geur a  \Nh.o  comprised  the 
the  essential  portion  of  this  c'lSsemblage,  were  a  wonderful 
body  of  men.  Mostly  French  or  brules  (half-breeds),  swarthy, 
sun-burnt,  hardy  and  daring,  they  were  the  heroes  of  the 
paddle,  and  for  long  years  their  jocular  songs  were  heard,  and 
their  fleets  of  canoes  were  to  be  seen  along  the  rugged  shores 
of  the  great  lake.  They  were  great  singers,  and  sang  songs 
to  the  music  of  the  paddle.  At  a  later  date  they  annually 
performed  the  almost  incredible  feat  ol  crossing  and  recross- 
ing  the  continent  in  birch-bark  canoes,  in  a  single  season. 
They  would  start  in  a  canoe,  from  Columbia,  on  the  Pacific 
ocean,  in  April,  and  threading  rivers  and  lakes,  shooting 
rapids,  and  portaging  over  mountains,  without  halt,  in  fair  or 
foul  weather,  sleeping:  but  four  hours  in  the  twenty-four, 
would  reach  Fort  William,  on  Lake  Superior,  by  the  1st  of 
July,  with  all  the  regularity  of  a  steamboat;  and  returning 
across  the  continent,  with  equal  precision,  arrive  at  Fort 
George,  at  the  mouth  of  Columbia  river,  by  the  20th  of 
October.  They  were  indeed  a  wonderful  race,  jocular,  full  of 
song  and  stories  of  wild  adventure.  They  w^ere  a  lively, 
fickle,  polite,  reckless  and  immoral  set.  Those  were  the  days 
of  easy  virtue  on  the  North  Shore.  Said  one  of  these  men, 
long  past  seventy  years  of  age  :  "I  could  carry,  paddle,  walk 
and  sing  with  any  man  I  ever  saw.  I  have  been  twenty-four 
years  a  canoe  man,  and  forty-one  years  in  service;  no  portage 
was  ever  too  long  for  me.  Fifty  songs  could  I  sing.  I  have 
saved  the  life  of  ten  voyageurs.  Have  had  twelve  wives  and 
six  running  dogs.  I  spent  all  my  money  in  pleasure.  Were 
I  young  again,  I  should  spend  my  life  the  same  way  over. 
There  is  no  life  so  happy  as  a  voyageur's  life." 

ADVENT  OF  AMERICAN  INFUENCE  UPON  THE  LAKE  UNDER  ASTOR 
— franklin's  TREATY, 

•  But  to  resume  the  current  of  history  concerning  the  great 
lake.  It  is  now  215  years  since  the  French  established  them- 
selves at  the  foot  of  the  basin  of  Lake  Superior.     They  floated 


LAKE  superior;   ITS  HISTORY,  ETC.  343 

the  fleur  de  iys^  and  made  known  the  power  of  the  grand 
monarqiie,  till  Quebec  fell  before  the  intrepid  Wolf,  in  1759. 
From  that  time  till  the  final  triumph  of  the  American  arms 
in  the  treaty  of  1783,  the  British  flag  floated  over  the  waters 
and  shores  of  this  inland  sea.  But  the  treaty  of  the  sagticious 
Frais^klin,  to  whom  we  are  wholly  indebted  for  our  interest 
in  Lake  Superior,  was  not  y6t  an  accomplished  fact.  Up  to 
the  war  of  1812,  both  sides  of  the  Sault  Ste,  Marie,  so  tar  as 
trade  was  concerned,  was  still  under  British  control.  The 
British  traders  told  the  Indians  that  it  still  belonged  to  Eng- 
land, and  that  the  result  of  the  war  of  1812  would  leave  the 
control  of  the  entrance  to  the  great  lake  in  their  possession. 
But  that  war  left  the  title  where  Fran'kli]^"  left  it  in  1783. 
It  ran  the  boundary  through  the  Straits  of  St.  Mary  to  the 
mouth  of  Pigeon  river.  And,  in  1816,  congress  enacted  that 
British  traders  and  capital  should  be  excluded  from  the 
American  lines.  This  was  the  death-knell  to  the  power  of 
British  traders  on  the  lake.  Then  it  was  that  John  Jacob 
AsTOR,  a  Grerman  furrier,  of  New  York,  availing  himself  of 
this  congressional  act,  went  to  Montreal  and  bought  all  the 
posts  and  factories  of  the  Northwest  company,  south  of  the 
line  Franklin  had  established.  The  American  Fur  company, 
under  Astor,  now  came  to  supersede  the  old  order  of  things 
around  Lake  Superior.  Astor  filled  the  country  with 
American  lads  from  Vermont.  Under  the  Astor  influence 
the  shores  of  Superior  became  gradually  Americanized.  With 
this  undertaking  Astor  also  associated  his  grand  dream  of 
rendering  tne  shores  of  the  Pacific  a  tributary  empire. 

ASTOR's    agents,    crooks,    STUART — THE    DECAY    OF   THE  FUR 
COMPANIES. 

Astor  selected  his  agents  with  a  sagacity  which  indicated 
his  judgment  of  men.  Foremost  among  these  was  Ramsey 
Crooks,^  father  of  Col.  Wm.  Crooks,  of  St.  Paul.    Crooks 

1.  Ramsey  Crooks  was  born  iu  Greenock,  Scotland,  Jan.  2, 1787,  and  came  to 
America  when  sixteen  years  old,  engaging  in  mercantile  life  at  Momtreal.  In 
1805  he  entered  the  service  of  Mr.  Gillespie,  an  Indian  trader,  and  proceeded 
to  St.  Louis,  then  a  frontier  village.  His  energy,  shrewdness  and  courage  soon 
gave  him  a  reputation  as  a  trader,  and  he  penetrated  all  parts  of  the  Missour 
Valley  in  search  of  furs,  enduring  great  hardships  and  braving  many  dangers 
In  1809  he  engaged  in  the  service  of  Joi:  X  Jacob  Astor,  and  for  years  led  a 


344  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

was  Astor's  confidential  agent  and  general  manager  in  the 
West.  He  was  cultivated  and  accomplished,  speaking  French 
like  a  Frenchman,  and  universally  admired  for  his  talents. 
Associated  with  Crooks  was  Robert  Stuart,  another  Scotch- 
man of  fine  ability  and  force  of  character.  These  men  intro- 
duced a  new  class  of  traders.  Their  headquarters  were  at  La 
Pointe,  on  an  island  at  the  he^d  of  the  lake.  Among  the 
new  traders  under  Crooks,  was  Charles  H.  Oakes,  a  youth 
from.Vermont.  Oakes  came  to  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie  in  May, 
1822,  as  an  independent  trader.  Two  years  afterward  he 
entered  the  service  of  the  American  Fur  company,  and  re- 
mained with  it  till  it  retired  from  business,  having  been  in 
the  trade  a  period  of  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Associ- 
ated with  Oakes,  was  Charles  Wm.  Wolf  Borup,  a  young 
Dane  from  Copenhagen,  who  came  to  America,  and  finally  to 
the  wilds  of  the  Northwest  to  seek  his  fortune.  He  was 
genial,  accomplished  and  polite,  and  remained  with  the  com- 
pany till  it  ceased  to  do  business.  Associated  with  these  was 
Clement  H.  Beaulieau,  now  at  the  White  Earth  agency. 
There  are  many  others  whose  active  lives  were  spent  in  the 
fur  trade  which  centered  around  the  great  lake,  and  whose 
history  is  filled  with  wild  adventures  and  romantic  incidents, 
such  as  William  Morrison,  known  among  the  Indians  as 
"White  Bear;"  Hon.  Allan  Morrison,  William  Aitkin, 
Lyman  Warren,  John  H.  Fairbanks,  Col.  J.  D.  Crutten- 
den  and  Julius  Austrian.  In  1847  the  American  Fur  com- 
pany closed  its  business  and  sold  its  interests  to  Chouteau 
(Jr.)  &  Co.,  of  St.  Louis,  who  were  represented  by  H.  M.  Rice. 
About  the  same  time  Crooks,  Borup  and  Oakes  organized 

life  01  adventure  and  peril  among  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  Pacific  coast,  the 
bare  narration  of  which  would  fill  volumes,  lu  1817  he  became  a  partner  in  the 
American  Fur  company,  and  until  1830  resided  mostly  in  New  York,  superin- 
tending the  purchase  of  goods  for  the  company.  In  1834  Mr.  Astor  sold  out 
his  interest  to  Mr.  Crooks,  and  he  was  elected  President  of  the  company.  In 
1842  reverses  compelled  the  company  to  make  an  assignment,  and  Mr.  Crooks, 
who  was  then  a  wealthy  man,  was  reduced  to  limited  means.  He  engaged  in 
the  fur  business  in  New  York,  and  died  in  that  city  June  6,  1859.  Mr.  Crooks 
was  well  known  to  all  the  early  fur  traders  and  pioneers  of  Minnesota.  He  had 
traveled  over  every  portion  of  this  state  while  it  was  a  wilderness,  and  knew 
its  topography  intimately.  All  the  Indian  tribes  of  the  Northwest  knew 
Ramsey  Crooks,  and  his  influence  over  them  was  powerful.  Black  Hawk 
said  that  "he  was  the  best  friend  the  Indians  ever  had."  W. 


LAKE  superior;  ITS  HISTORY,  ETC.  345 

the  Northern  Fur  company,  which  continued  in  existence 
for  little  over  a  year,  when  its  property  and  effects  passed 
by  purchase  into  the  hands  of  the  St.  Louis  company,  under 
Rice.  In  1849,  Rice  retired  from  the  trade,  and  the  fur  in- 
terests of  Lake  Superior,  no  longer  represented  by  a  power- 
ful and  controlling  company,  soon  ceased  to  maintain  its 
ancient  supremacy,  and  has  gradually  melted  away  before  the 
advent  of  new  interests. 

THE    AMERICAl^  FLAG    FIRST    FLOATS    AT    SUPERIOR — TREATIES 
CEDIIJ^G  ITS  SHORES. 

June  16th,  1820,  Lewis  Cass  first  hoisted  the  American  flag 
at  the  entrance  of  Lake  Superior.  At  that  time,  Cass  made  the 
first  treaty  wjth  the  Indians  ceding  territory  connected  with 
its  shores.  The  first  cession  was  a  piece  of  country  sixteen 
miles  square,  fronting  on  the  Ste.  Marie  river.  The  Indian 
title  still  existed  around  the  entire  lake.  The  great  treaty  at 
Prairie  du  Chien,  Aug.  19,  1825,  only  settled  boundaries  be- 
tween tribes,  and  the  subsequent  treaty  of  Aug.  5, 1826,  grant- 
ed the  United  States  the  right  to  search  for  and  carry  away 
metals  or  minerals  along  its  shores.  This  treaty  first  opened 
the  south  shore  to  commercial  activity.  A  treaty  was  made 
October  14,  1842,  by  Robert  Stuart,^  commissioner,  at  La 
Pointe,  in  which  the  Chippewas  ceded  all  the  land  on  the 
south  shore  of  the  lake,  from  Fond  du  Lac,  to  near  what  is 
now  the  city  of  Marquette.  August  2, 1847,  J.  A.Verpla^-ck 
and  Hen^ry  M.  Rice,  concluded  a  treaty  at  Fond  du  Lac,  by 
which  the  Chippewas  ceded  all  their  land  west  of  the  lake, 
south  of  Crow  Wing  river  and  north  of  the  Watab,  and  be- 
yond the  Mississippi.     And  finally,  September  13th,  1854, 

1  Robert  Stuart  was  born  in  Scotland,  probably  about  r.  85,  and  came  to 
America  while  a  youth,  settling  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  where  his  handsome  person, 
intelligence  and  energy  won  him  many  friends,  and  he  secured  employment 
with  the  American  Fur  Company,  of  which  he  became  one  of  the  most  valuable 
agents.  He  married  a  Miss  Sullivan,  of  Broolilyn,  and  had  several  children. 
He  was  for  many  years  in  charge  of  the  American  Fur  Company's  business  at 
Mackinac,  a  post  of  great  responsibility,  which  he  managed  with  much  ability. 
Retiring  from  the  fur  trade  with  a  competency,  in  1834,  he  settled  at  Detroit.  He 
was  not  long  afterwards  appointed  U.  S.  Superintendent  of  Indian  affairs  for 
Michigan,  in  which  capacity  he  made  several  important  treaties.  Mr.  Stuart 
died  suddenly  at  Chicago  a  few  years  ago  while  on  a  visit  there,  sincerely 
mourned  by  a  very  large  circle  of  fiiends.  H.  H.  S. 


346  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

the  Chippewas,  by  a  treaty  at  La  Pointe,  ceded  all  that  land 
in  Minnesota,  known  as  the  North  Shore.  This  completed 
the  environment  of  the  shores  of  the  great  lake,  and  perfected 
the  transfer  of  title  from  its  Chippewa  possessors  to  the 
United  States.  The  great  Schoolcraft  recounts,  with  patri- 
otic pride,  the  first  appearance  of  American  troops  on  the 
waters  of  Superior.  They  went  from  their  station  at  Sault  Ste^ 
Marie,  to  the  treaty  at  Prairie  du  Chien  in  1825.  Sixty  men, 
with  officers,  a  commissariat  and  medical  department,  started 
out  in  three  great  twelve-oar  barges,  four  boats  of  subsistence 
and  a  fleet  of  canoes,  with  music  and  flags  flying;  and  the 
fleet,  stretching  out  for  miles,  he  declares,  was  a  most  noble 
and  imposing  spectacle.  Never  before  had  the  power  of  the 
government  been  exhibited  on  the  waters  of  Lake  Superior. 
For  eighteen  days  they  coasted  along  its  romantic  shores. 
The  weather  was  fine,  the  scenery  grand,  and  everywhere  the 
Indians  came  in  canoes  to  witness  the  imposing  spectacle. 

These  treaties  with  their  grand  results,  close  the  early  his- 
tory of  Lake  Superior.  From  that  time  onward,  it  belongs 
to  commerce  and  civilization.  For  two  centuries  it  had 
been  the  scene  of  wild  adventure  and  romantic  hazard.  Re- 
ligious enthusiasm  first  gave  these  bright  waters  to  the  world, 
and  the  great  fur  companies  afterwards  ]ield  them  with 
baronial  power.  In  the  deep  recesses  of  its  bays  and  woods, 
some  of  the  largest  corporations  the  world  has  yet  seen,  fought 
their  battles  for  supremacy.  We  have  here  endeavored  to 
rescue  from  oblivion  some  of  the  scenes  of  the  long  ago,  so 
that  the  early  history  of  this  superb  lake  might  not  wholly 
perish. 

EARLY  COMMERCE   OF  THE   LAKE — HISTORY  OF   SHIP   CANAL   AT 
THE  SAULT  STE.  MARIE, 

The  advent  of  the  first  vessels  on  the  lake  is  not  wholly 
lost  in  obscurity.  Carver,  in  his  journal,  says  that  the 
French  had  a  small  schooner  there  when  he  crossed  the  lake, 
in  1776.  Harmon  relates  that  the  Northwest  company  had 
built  a  small  vtssel  before  his  arrival,  which  was  in  June, 
1800.  Henry  records  that  he  built  a  sloop  of  forty  tons,  in 
1770,  for  his  trade  upon  the  lake.    These  are  the  earliest  ves- 


LAKE   SUPERIOR;  ITS  HISTORY,  ETC.  347 

sels  to  which  any  reference  is  made  in  any  written  memori- 
als. Some  idea  of  the  extent  of  the  canoe  commerce  along 
its  shores  may  be  gathered  from  the  statement  of  Harmoit, 
who  records  that  he  met  in  the  -summer  of  1800  no  Ipss  than 
100  canoes  in  one  fleet,  loaded  with  furs,  bound  for  the  Sault 
Ste.  Marie.  He  again  records  that  he  met  thirty  canoes  and 
300  men  on  the  first  day  of  June,  1800.  Henry  records  that 
he  met  forty  canoes  on  Pigeon  river,  loaded  with  furs  from 
Athabasca  Lake  and  bound  for  Grand  Portage.  The  only 
commerce  of  the  great  lake  since  its  discovery,  was  that  in 
pelts.  Schoolcraft  relates,  in  his  journal,  that  on  the  9th 
day  of  November,  1833,  ''wheat  in  bulk  and  flour  in  bags 
and  barrels  were  brought  down  from  St.  Joseph's,  through 
the  straits  of  Michigan.  Beef  and  wheat  had  been  brought 
the  season  before."  This  is  the  first  record  made  of  the 
shipping  of  native  products,  other  than  pelts,  from  any  of  the 
upper  lakes.  But  a  great  commerce  could  never  flourish  on 
Lake  Superior  till  a  great  natural  obstacle  was  removed. 
The  St.  Mary  river  is  the  key  to  Lake  Superior.  Tliere  are 
rapids  in  this  river  from  the  level  of  one  lake  to  that  of  the 
other,  of  22  feet.  The  removal  of  the  obstacle  was  a  matter 
of  early  co^isideration,  and  in  1837  Grov.  Mason",  ol  Michigan, 
under  the  authority  of  the  legislature,  authorized  the  first 
survey  of  a  proposed  canal.  The  Hon.  H.  M.  Rice,  of  St.  Paul, 
then  a  young  man,  took  part  in  this  preliminary  survey. 
The  state  of  Michigan  applied  to  the  general  government  for 
a  grant  of  lands  to  aid  in  this  work,  and  finally,  after  much 
opposition,  a  grant  of  750,000  acres  was  made  in  1852.  Eras- 
Tus  Corning  and  Joseph  Fairbanks  were  the  contractors,  and 
finished  the  work  May  21,  1855.  The  lands  received  by  the 
contractors  embraced  some  of  the  localities  now  occupied  by 
the  richest  copper  mines,  and  were  sold  for  immense  sums. 
The  insufficiency  of  the  original  canal  soon  became  apparent, 
and  this  induced  the  state  of  Michigan,  by  a  unanimous  vote 
of  her  legislature,  to  cede  the  canal  to  the  United  States, 
which  was  done  in  1868.  The  general  government  has  near- 
ly completed  a  much  larger  canal  by  the  side  of  the  first,  at 
an  expense  of  about  $3,000,000,  so  that  there  will  be  two 


348  MLN-NESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

outlets  to  expedite  the  transit  of  vessels.  The  Canadians 
greatly  desire  a  canal  on  their  side,  where  the  distance  is 
much  shorter  than  on  the  American.  They  have  estimated 
the  cost,  in  their  Blue  Book,  at  $550,000.  Such  a  canal  would 
render  complete,  Canada's  great  canal  system,  really  the  great- 
est in  the  world.  It  should  be  noted  that  Harmon's  Journal 
records  the  fact  that  even  in  the  year  1800,  the  Northwestern 
Fur  Company  here  made  a  rude  canal,  capable  of  floating 
large  loaded  canoes  without  breaking  bulk.  But  no  eye  can 
foresee,  or  pen  predict,  the  swelling  commerce  from  a  double 
empire — the  British  and  American — in  the  rapid  progress  of 
events  yet  destined  to  pass  over  these  inland  seas,  in  its  march 
to  the  ocean. 

LAKE  SURVEYS,  TIDES  AND  WATER-LEYELS. 

But  this  growing  commerce  on  so  vast  an  inland  sea  has 
pressed  itself  upon  the  eye  of  the  general  government.  So 
early  as  1841,  under  the  secretary  of  war,  an  annual  appro- 
priation was  begun,  and  since  continued,  looking  to  th  j  com- 
plete survey  of  these  lakes.  The  topography,  hydrography, 
complete  triangulation,  soundings,  observations  of  winds, 
tides,  survey  of  harbors,  level  of  lakes,  and  all  otlier  things 
necessary  to  a  perfect  scientific  knowledge  of  the  field  obser- 
vation, has  been  methodically  executed  under  the  able  control 
of  Gen.  C.  B.  Comstock,  of  the  engineer  corps  of  the,  army. 
His  annual  reports  upon  the  "Surveys  of  the  North  and  North- 
western Lakes,"  comprise  a  series  of  volumes  which  illustrate 
the  accuracy  of  the  methods  and  the  completeness  of  the  sys- 
tem of  the  government  surveys,  and  refiect  distinguished 
honor  upon  the  professional  skill  of  those  engaged  in  the 
work.  The  charts  which  are  the  result  of  these  labors,  furnish 
the  sailor  with  correct  guides,  and  science  has  been  enriched 
with  accurate  researches.  We  find  that  the  great  lake,  ocean- 
like, has  a  solar  and  lunar  tide,  which  was  first  observed  by 
Captain  (late  General)  Meade,  while  stationed  at  Superior,  in 
1860.  Self-registering  tide-guages  have  since  been  established, 
and  positive  results  secured.  This  seeming  tide  was  first 
attributed  to  what  was  known  as  a  prevalent  "lake  breeze;" 


LAKE  superior;  ITS  HISTORY,  ETC.  349 

but  science  has  established  a  regular  flux  and  reflux  wave, 
directly  referable  to  solar  and  lunar  influences.  The  average 
rise  and  fall  every  twenty-four  hours,  is  the  fourteen  hundredth 
part  of  a  foot,  with  a  maximum  tide,  at  new  and  full  moon,  of 
twenty-eight  hundredths  of  a  foot.  There  are  great  changes 
in  the  water-levels  of  all  the  lakes.  This  phenomenon  is 
wholly  dependent  on  the  annual  fall  of  water  on  the  water- 
sheds of  the  lake  basins,  and  the  comparative  evaporation 
caused  by  the  intensity  of  the  solar  heat.  Temporary  fluctu- 
ations are  accounted  for  by  the  theory  of  lake  winds. 

HEIGHT   OF  THE  LAKE  ABOVE  OCEAN  TIDE. 

The  height  of  all  the  lakes  above  mean  ocean-tide  has  at 
last  been  definitely  determined.  A  line  of  water-levels  from 
the  beach-mark  made  at  Albany,  New  York,  by  the  Coast 
Survey,  fixing  the  mean  ocean  tide,  has  been  run  to  Oswego, 
on  Lake  Ontario,  and  thence  a  line  of  levels  has  been  run  from 
beach-mark  to  beach-mark,  through  all  the  lakes  to  Duluth. 
The  heights  of  the  lakes  have  thus  been  established  with  pre- 
cision. Lake  Superior  is  602  feet  above  mean  tide  at  New 
York.  Lake  Huron  is  582  feet,  and  the  diff'erence  of  level 
between  Lakes  Michigan  and  Huron,  is  only  two-tenths  of  a 
foot.  Lake  Erie  is  573  feet,  and  Lake  Ontario  is  247  feet  above 
ocean-tide;  It  is  interesting  in  this  connection,  to  note  that 
the  ordinary  level  of  the  Mississippi  at  St.  Paul,  is  80  feet 
above  the  level  of  Lake  Superior.  This  is  upon  the  authority 
of  D.  C.  Shepard,  Esq.,  railroad  engineer.  Lake  Itasca,  the 
source  of  the  Mississippi,  according  to  Nicollet,  is  1,675  feet 
above  the  sea.  It  is  singular  to  relate  that  we  have  no  water- 
levels  above  St.  Paul,  except  those  that  were  given  us  by  that 
eminent  Frenchman  and  scientist,  in  his  memorable  visit  to 
this  region  is  1836. 

geological  and  scientific  examinations  of  lake  superior. 

A  region  so  filled  with  such  attractive  physical  features, 
has  drawn  to  it  men  of  science  from  all  countries.  Canada 
has  more  than  once  sent  hither  her  geologists.     Dr.  Douglass 


350  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

Houghton,  naturalist,  prosecuted  scientific  observations  there 
in  1845,  for  the  general  government,  and  was  drowned,  while 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  October  13,  1845.  Owen  and 
Norwood,  also  United  States  geologists,  explored  its  coasts 
in  1847-8.  Charles  Whittlesey  made  geological  recon- 
noissances  in  1848,  1859  and  1864,  the  result  of  which  was 
published  in  Ohio,  in  1866.  The  celebrated  Agassiz  wJas  there 
with  a  party  of  professors  and  students  during  the  summer  of 
1848,  and  gave  the  world  a  volume  filled  with  his  observations. 
Foster  and  Whitney  examined  its  iron  and  copper  forma- 
tions in  1851.  A.  H.  Hanchett  was  there  in  1864,  and  made 
a  report  upon  its  geological  features  to  the  Governor  of  this 
State.  Finally,  in  pursuance  of  a  plan  for  the  complete  geologi- 
cal history  of  Minnesota,  Prof.  N.  H.  Winchell,  of  the  State 
University,  during  the  past  summer,  has  made  a  complete 
geological  reconnoissance  of  the  north  shore,  preparatory  to  a 
more  minute  examination  yet  to  follow.  It  should  also  be 
recorded  that  Lieut.  Bayfield,  a  scientific  officer  of  the  British 
navy,  in  1822  made  careful  surveys  of  the  lake,  and  his  charts 
were  in  use  till  they  were  superseded  by  the  more  elaborate 
delineations  of  the  United  States  engineers. 

the  first  settlements — the  advent  of  railroads. 

Of  the  first  settlements  on  its  shores,  the  forts  of  the  old 
traders  take  precedence  in  point  of  time.  First  was  that  of 
the  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  about  1670;  in  1679,  Capt.  J.  DeLuth, 
as  he  signed  himself,  built  a  trading  post  at  the  mouth  of 
Pigeon  river,  the  site  of  which  I  have  seen;  in  1692,  Fron- 
TENAC  sent  Sieur  Le  Sueur  to  build  a  fort  at  La  Pointe;  about 
1760  the  grand  rendezvous  at  Grand  Portage  was  established ; 
in  1775  there  was  a  large  fort  at  the  head  of  Nepigon  Bay.  A 
little  later  Moss  Fort,  in  James  Bay,  and  Fort  William,  on 
the  Kamnistiqua  river,  were  in  operation.  La  Pointe  and 
Fond  du  Lac  were  old  trading  posts  when  Portland,  on  the 
main  shore,  and  Duluth,  on  Minnesota  Point,  were  started 
respectively  in  1855  and  1856.  These  were  consolidated  the 
ensuing  year.  The  first  occupants  ot  the  soil  were  Wm.  Net- 
TLETON,  Orrin  Rice  and  J.  B.  Culver.     There  were  early 


LAKE  superior;  ITS  HISTORY,  ETC.  351 

settlements  in  the  iron  and  copper  regions,  which  I  have  not 
time  to  mention.  The  next  epoch  to  mark  the  new  develop- 
ment, was  the  advent  of  railroads.  The  [first  to  touch  these 
waters  was  the  Michigan  Peninsula  railroad,  from  Green  Bay- 
to  Marquette,  in  1867.  The  Lake  Superior  &  Mississippi 
railroad  was  finished  August  1st,  1870.  This  connected  the 
Mississippi  and  the  great  lake,  opening  a  new  artery  to  com- 
merce, and  stimulated  the  growth  of  Duluth.  But  a  new 
spur  was  given  to  enterprise  at  the  head  of  the  lake  by  the 
inception  in  1864,  of  the  great  trans-continental  project  of 
the  Northern  Pacific  Railway,  with  which  enterprise  the  name 
of  Jay  Cooke  is  forever  identified.  Associated  with  this  impe- 
rial project,  and  coeval  in  origin,  is  the  great  Canadian  Pacific 
Railway,  whose  point  of  departure  from  the  lake  is  at  Fort 
William  or  Thunder  Bay.  I  was  present,  three  summers  ago, 
when  the  first  iron  was  laid  on  this  second  enterprise,  which 
is  to  connect  the  great  fresh  sea  with  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

Thus  we  have  traced  the  successive  epochs  of  development, 
from  our  first  knowledge  of  the  lake  as  a  Chippewa  sea  in  the 
far  off  solitudes  of  the  wilderness,  till  advancing  commerce 
seeks  to  link  its  destiny  with  the  two  great  oceans  of  the 
world. 

ANTIQUITY  OF  SETTLEMENTS  ON  THE  LAKE. 

We  are  accustomed  to  associate  Fort  Snelling  and  Mendota 
with  our  notions  of  the  earliest  settlement  by  white  men,  on 
the  soil  of  Minnesota.  But  in  1692  Frontenac  sent  an  officer 
to  build  a  fort  and  establish  a  French  garrison  at  La  Pointe. 
It  was  built  on  the  south  end  of  the  island,  and  a  garrison  of 
thirty  soldiers  kept  there,  130  years  before  Fort  Snelling  was 
ordered  established  by  the  secretary  of  war.  Grand  Portage 
was  a  commercial  emporium,  full  of  trade,  shops,  style  and 
fashion,  with  drinking  establishments  and  police  officers,  the 
very  day  John  Hancock  signed  the  Declaration  of  .Indepen- 
dence. Fathers  Jogues  and  Raimbault  were  holding  up  the 
cross  to  the  natives  at  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  on  the  shores  of  the 
great  lake,  five  years  before  Elliot  had  yet  preached  to  the 
Indians  dwelling  within  six  miles  of  Boston  harbor.     Mar- 


352  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

QUETTE  had  saluted  the  "Father  of  Waters"  within  the  terri- 
tory of  Minnesota,  a  hundred  years  before  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill.  While  Louis  Fourteenth  was  on  his  throne, 
Cardinal  Richelieu,  from  his  cabinet,  directed  those  footsteps 
which  first  touched  the  soil  of  Minnesota. 

It  is  to  the  waters  of  our  great  sea,  that  the  people  of  .our 
state  must  look  for  the  memorials  of  the  white  man's  first 
impress  upon  their  soil.  If  we  have  any  of  the  qualities  of 
antiqueness  they  come  to  us  from  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior. 
Whea  Nineveh  flourished  and  Palmyra  yet  stood  upon  the 
plains,  men  were  fashioning  copper  on  the  shores  of  the 
northern  lake.  And  it  is  within  something  more  than  tradi- 
tion that  a  mighty  naval  engagement  took  place  near  the 
Apostle  Islands,  in  which  a  hundred  canoes  were  engaged, 
and  which  dyed  its  waters  with  blood,  160  years  before  Per- 
ry's victory  on  Lake  Erie.  Indeed,  the  French  missionaries 
were  building  the  altars  of  their  God  at  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie, 
at  a  period  nearly  coeval  with  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims  at 
Plymouth  Rock. 

its  superb  scenery—gallery  of  pictures. 

There  are  more  splendid  pictures  in  the  scenery  of  the 
north  shore  of  Lake  Superior,  than  are  catalogued  in  the  gal- 
leries of  the  world.  There  is  not  the  dizzy  glory  of  the 
Yosemite,  but  in  these  wild,  irregular  rocks,  forever  washed 
by  the  waves  of  this  crystal  sea,  nature  seems  to  rise  above 
herself  in  her  incomparable  and  infinite  variety.  As  you 
enter  from  the  east,  through  a  gate-way,  worthy  of  the 
grandest  lake  on  the  globe,  vast  Laurentian  masses,  hoary  with 
age,  salutes  your  coming.  Capes  Gros  and  Iroquois,  bold 
warders  of  the  portals  of  the  lake,  lift  their  massive  scalps  of 
northern  sienite  a  thousand  feet  in  the  air.  They  stand  higher 
and  grander  than  the  famous  pillars  of  Hercules  which  guard 
the  entrance  to  the  Mediterranean  sea.  For  days  and  weeks 
you  may  paddle  in  your  light  canoe,  along  shores  with 
dark  cliffs  of  basaltic  trap,  now  sterile  and  fire-swept,  and 
again  wooded  to  the  water's  brink  with  balsam,  fir  and  birch. 
You   pass  innumerable  bays,   wild,    fantastic  indentations, 


LAKE  superior;   ITS  HISTORY,  ETC.  353 

romantic  promontories,  and  creeks  and  rivers  rushing  fiercely 
from  superb  cascades,  under  the  shadow  of  great  rocks.  There 
is  no  limit  to  the  ever  varied  scene.  Here  you  note  the  ice 
abrasions,  where  great  storms  have  hurled  icy  batteries, 
through  centuries,  and  chiseled  the  rocks  of  the  rugged 
shores  into  rude  architectural  resemblances,  or  worked  out 
those  weird  caves,  which  we  find  along  the  Palisades,  like 
Fingal  in  the  Hebrides. 

Its  bays  are  spacious  and  picturesque.  Nepigon  Bay  is  the 
largest,  deepest  and  most  beautiful  harbor  on  Lake  Superior, 
and  perhaps  in  the  world.  Its  front  is  barred  from  the  stormy 
waves  of  the  sea  by  great  islands,  among  which  St.  Ignace 
rises  1,300  feet  in  height.  It  would  take  a  week  to  explore 
the  wild  recesses  of  this  rock-bound  bay.  Next  in  beauty 
and  size  to  Nepigon  is  Thunder  Bay,  with  its  dark  cliffs  of 
basaltic  trap  and  grand  island  scenery.  Here  the  navies  of 
the  world  might  float  in  security  beneath  the  shadows  of 
Thunder  Cape  and  Pie  Island.  Near  by  you  find  Silver  Islet, 
which,  like  the  fabled  island  of  Monte  Christo,  is  veined  with 
fabulous  wealth.  It  was  once  hawked  upon  the  streets  of 
London  as  a  trifle.  Since  then  it  has  produced  more  silver 
than  any  equal  area  upon  the  globe.  Then  there  are  the 
Palisades,  basaltic  cliffs,  where  woe  betides  the  mariner  in 
storms.  Beyond  we  find  Agate  Bay,  named  for  that  Sicilian 
river,  where  the  threaded  pebbles  were  first  found.  Bushels 
of  these  delicately  tinted  and  cloud-blended  stones  have  here 
been  gathered,  and  are  now  adorning  rings  and  seals,  cups 
and  handles,  the  world  over.  There,  too,  is  Isle  Royal,  with 
its  jeweled  fingers  running  into  the  sea,  the  gift  of  Franklin". 
Its  ridges  of  amygdaloidal  trap  are  thick  with  copper.  Away 
to  the  south  are  the  Pictured  Rocks,  those  wonders  of  geology. 
But  we  cannot  linger  amid  these  attractive  scenes. 

ITS  GRAND  PHYSICAL  FEATURES — THE  OFFICES  IT  PERFORMS. 

Let  us  momentarily  consider  some  of  its  physical  features 
and  facts  connected  therewith.  Consider  it  as  a  vast  sea  of 
fresh  water,  lying  in  the  great  hollow  of  solid  igneous  rocks. 
It  has  a  length  of  360  miles,  and  in  its  greatest  width  140 


354  MINlfESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

miles.  It  covers  an  area  of  32,000  square  miles.  It  possesses 
a  coast  line  of  1,500  miles,  and  has  a  mean  depth  of  1,000 
feet.  While  its  surface  rises-  to  a  height  of  602  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  sea,  there  are  portions  of  its  bed  more  than  600 
feet  below  the  level  of  the  Atlantic.  In  great  storms  its  waves 
will  rise  to  a  height  of  20  feet.  The  purity  of  its  diaphanous 
waters  is  without  a  rival  in  the  world.  In  a  breezeless  sea 
you  can  distinctly  see  objects  at  a  depth  of  75  and  100  feet. 
The  temperature  of  the  water  is  always  cold,  and  at  a  mean 
depth  of  eight  feet  is  as  frigid  as  at  mid- winter.  Every  drop  of 
water  in  Lake  Superior  is  an  emblem  of  purity.  Hence  its 
health-inspiring  conditions  through  all  the  summer  months. 
Ozone  pervades  it  like  a  second  atmosphere,  and  more  and 
more  its  rugged  shores  and  castellated  islands  will  be  sought 
by  those  in  the  pursuit  of  health  and  pleasure.  Among  the 
great  offices  of  this  bright  sisterhood  of  lakes,  are  those  to 
regulate  the  flow  of  the  water  and  furnish  moisture  for  inland 
rains.  But  a  minimum  portion  of  the  waters  of  the  in- 
numerable rivers  which  empty  themselves  into  this  great 
basin,  are  discharged  at  the  outlet  of  Sault  Ste.  Marie.  I 
have  myself  counted  44  creeks  and  rivers  pouring  into  it  be- 
tween Duluth  and  the  international  line,  a  distance  of  only 
152-  miles.  When  we  consider  the  number  and  size  of  all  its 
affluents  through  a  circuit  of  1,500  miles,  we  can  form  some 
idea  of  the  vast  volume  of  waters  which  it  receives.  Were  not 
this  vast  mass  of  inflowing  waters  bottled  up  at  the  season 
of  dissolving  snows  by  this  great  lake,  they  would  break 
through  every  barrier,  and  carry  ruin  and  destruction  in  their 
paths.  Here  the  mighty  reservoir  holds  it  in  abeyance,  and 
meantime  the  work  of  evaporation  goes  on,  which  furnishes 
rain  to  an  empire.  How  great  the  evaporation  we  may 
judge,  when  we  remember  that  it  has  been  determined  that 
the  Red  Sea  evaporates  a  layer  of  eight  feet  of  water  annually. 
The  abundant  fish  which  swarm  in  its  pure  waters,  have  that 
sweetness  and  solidity,  which  scarcely  make  them  second  to 
the  inhabitants  of  the  salted  seas. 

We  may  consider,  with  no  idle  imagination,  that  the  very 
bottom  of  this  lake  is  paved  with  wealth.  The  great  iron 
ridges  of  the  Peninsula  of  Michigan  run  into,  and  are  lost  in 


r 


LAKE  superior;   ITS   HISTORY,   ETC.  355 

the  waters  of  the  lake.  The  great  copper  strata  of  the  south 
shore  dip  towards  the  north  and  disappear  beneath  the  lake 
itself.  They  re-appear  in  the  rich  amygdaloidal  hills  of  Isle 
Royal.  So  that  all  that  vast  intervening  bottom  of  lake 
basin  must  be  veined  with  copper.  The  argentiferous  veins 
of  Silver  Islet  carry  their  jeweled  wealth  down  into  the  sea, 
and  are  lost  beneath  the  waves  of  the  lake.  I  have  seen  a 
score  of  silver  lodes  which  run  into,  and  are  lost  beneath  these 
waters.  Pieces  of  free  silver  have  been  picked  up  on  the 
north  shore  for  a  hundred  years,  which  have  evidently  been 
torn  by  the  action  of  the  ice,  in  storms,  from  their  argent 
home  in  the  bottom  of  the  lake.  So  that  it  is  not  solely 
imaginative,  when  we  say  that  the  floors  of  this  translucent 
sea  are  strewn  with  precious  metals. 

Thus  have  I  feebly  attempted  to  present  you  the  bolder 
outlines  of  the  history  of  this  wonderful  sea,  from  the  Aztec 
twilight  to  that  dawn  of  history  when  the  captive  Jesuit, 
JoQUES,  in  his  wanderings,  cut  the  name  *'Jesus"  on  the  trees 
of  its  shores,  as  if  taking  possession  of  the  country  in  the 
name  of  his  God,  along  through  two  centuries  of  daring  ad- 
venture, till  we  have  brought  it  to  the  time  when  we  our- 
selves are  co-partners  in  its  destiny.  And  while  I  have  en- 
deavored to  rescue  from  oblivion  some  of  the  scenes  of  "the 
long  ago,"  I  have  also  sought,  through  its  superb  physical 
features,  to  impress  upon  you  that  Superior,  in  all  its  attri- 
butes, is  to  be  considered  indeed  the  Queen  of  Lakes. 


MEMORIAL  NOTICES  OF  Rev.  GIDEON  H. 

POND. 


BY  MESSRS.   RIGGS,  WILLIAMSON  AND  SIBLEY. 


I.    NOTE  BY  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  PUBLICATION. 

On  Sunday,  January  20,  1878,  Rev.  Gideon  H.  Pond,  one  of 
of  the  oldest  residents  of  Minnesota,  or  of  what  is  now  known 
as  Minnesota,  died  at  his  home  in  Oak  Grove,  near  Blooming- 
ton,  Hennepin  Co.  In  noticing  the  death  of  this  pioneer  of 
civilization,  whose  name  must  always  have  an  honored  place 
in  the  history  of  our  State,  the  Minneapolis  Tribune  says: 

"  We  hope  the  Historical  Society  of  Minnesota  will  appoint 
some  one  to  prepare  a  memoir  for  their  Transactions,  of  the 
man  who  unselfishly  worked  in  Hennepin  County  for  nearly 
lorty-four  years,  for  the  benefit  of  humanity."  This  would 
have  been  done,  had  not  the  very  full,  carefully  prepared,  and 
generously  conceived  tributes  to  his  memory  by  his  life-long 
associates,  Messrs.  Riggs,  Williamson,  Sibley,  and  others, 
published  soon  after  his  death,  so  fully  covered  the  entire 
subject,  that  it  seemed  unnecessary  for  any  one  else  to  go 
over  it  again,  as  well  as  precluded  the  possibility  of  any  one 
else  doing  it  so  well.  The  Committee  on  Publication  have, 
therefore,  deemed  their  duty  best  done  by  simply  giving  the 
eulogies  referred  to,  just  as  they  were  written;  the  names  of 
the  writers  being  a  guaranty  of  the  completeness  and  correct- 
ness of  their  respective  biographical  sketches  of  Mr.  Pond. 


MEMORIAL  N^CTICES  OF  REV.  GIDEON  H.  POND.  357 

In  the  death  of  Mr.  Pond,  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society- 
lost  one  of  its  most  valuable  members.  With  his  associates, 
Messrs.  Williamson  and  Riggs,  he  joined  it  soon  after  its 
organization,  and  constantly  labored  to  promote  its  objects 
and  usefulness.  The  earlier  Collections  of  the  Society,  Vol.  1, 
(1852)  and  again  in  Vol.  3,  (1867)  contain  valuable  and  elabor- 
ate papers  by  him  on  Indian  mythology,  and  customs.  No 
less  important,''as "preserving  the  knowledge  of  these  subjects, 
are  his  published  or  MS.  sermons  or  discourses,  his  contribu- 
tions to  the  Dakota  Friend^  of  which  he  was  editor,  printed 
in  St.  Paul  in  1850-52,  half  in  English,  half  in  Dakota,  and 
articles  contributed  to  the  public  press  from  time  to  time,  or 
to  church  periodicals.^  We  can  only  regret  that  one  who 
could  so  well  and  accurately  record  this  information,  did  not 
write  more  on  those  topics;  but  other  and  pressing  duties  left 
him  but  little  opportunity  to  do  so,  despite  his  proverbial  indus- 
try and  perseverance.  He  never  declined  any  duty  assigned 
him  by  the  Society,  and  never  relaxed  his  interest  in  it,  but  sent 
coutributions  to  its  cabinet  of  Indian  Curiosities,  from  time 
to  time,  and  visited  it  whenever  convenient,  the  last  time  but 
a  brief  period  before  his  death;  and  he  was  then  planning 
still  more  labors  in  its  behalf.  His  death  leaves  a  vacancy 
in  our  ranks,  which  it  will  be  impossible  to  fill,  while  his 
fidelity  and  readiness  serves  for  a  worthy  example  to  his  fellow 
members. 

Mr.  Pond  was  a  member  of  the  first  Territorial  Legislature, 
in  1849,  and  though,  from  his  quiet  and  unobtrusive  nature, 
he  did  not  take  a  conspicuous  part,  he  performed  valuable 
service  as  a  legislator,  and  impressed  his  associates  with  his 
candor  and  good  judgment  in  all  matters.  His  name  is  worthy 
to  be  enrolled  among  those  who  have  contributed  to  shaping 
the  policy  and  giving  form  to  the  laws  and  institutions  of  our 
commonwealth. 


1  On  page  37  et  seq  of  this  volume  (Part  l,  Vol.  III.)  will  be  found  some  record 
of  the  valuable  labors  of  Mr.  Pond,  in  translating  school  books,  religious  works, 
hymns,  &c.,  into  the  Dakota  tongue,  to  aid  in  the  work  of  the  mission. 


358  MIl^NESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTION'S. 


II.    SKETCH  OF  MR.  POND'S  LIFE,  BY  REV.  S.  R.  RIGGS  :  PUBLISHED  IN 
THE  lAPI  OA  YE  (WORD-CARRIER)  APRIL,  1878. 

Born  and  brought  up  in  Litchfield  county,  in  a  town  ad- 
joining Washington,  Connecticut,  Rev.  George  Bushnell 
visited  that  hill  country  in  his  youth,  and  was  deeply  im- 
pressed with  the  manifest  and  pervading  religious  element  in 
the  community.  Taken  there  by  a  special  Providence  more 
than  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago,  and  enjoying  the  privilege 
of  a  visit  in  some  of  the  families,  it  seemed  to  me  that  it  had 
been  a  good  place  to  raise  men.  This  was  on  the  line  of  the 
impression  made  upon  me  years  before  that.  When  I  first 
met,  in  the  Land  of  the  Dakotas,  the  brothers  Samuel  W. 
and  Gideon  H.  Pond,  they  were  both  over  six  feet  high,  and 
"  seenied  the  children  of  a  king." 

In  this  hill  town  of  Washington,  on  the  30th  of  June, 
1810,  Gideon  Hollister,  the  younger  of  the  two  brothers, 
was  born.  His  parents  were  Elnathan  Judson  and  Sarah 
Hollister  Pond.  Gideon  was  the  fifth  child,  and  so  was 
called  by  the  Dakotas  Hakay.  Of  his  childhood  and  youth, 
almost  nothing  is  known  to  the  writer.  He  had  the  advan- 
tage of  a  New  England  common-school  education;  perhaps 
nothing  more.  As  he  grew  very  rapidly,  and  came  to  the 
size  and  strength  of  a  man  early,  he  made  a  full  hand  in  the 
harvest  field  at  the  age  of  sixteen.  To  this  ambition  to  be 
counted  a  man  and  do  a  man's  work,  when  as  yet  he  should 
have  been  a  boy,  he,  in  after  life,  ascribed  some  of  his  infirm- 
ities. This  ambition  continued  with  him  through  life,  and 
occasional  overwork  at  least,  undermined  a  constitution  that 
might,  with  care  and  God's  blessing,  have  continued  to  the 
end  of  the  century. 

He  came  to  the  Land  of  the  Dakotas,  now  Minnesota,  in 
the  spring  of  1834.  The  older  brother,  Samuel,  had  come 
out  as  far  as  Galena,  Illinois,  in  the  summer  previous.  The 
pioneer  minister  of  that  country  of  lead,  was  Rev.  Aratus 
Kent,  who  desired  to  retain  Mr.  Pond  as  an  adjutant  in  his 
great  and  constantly  enlarging  work;  but   Mr.  Pond  had 


MEMORIAL  NOTICES  OF  REV.  GIDEOIT  H.  POND.  359 

heard  of  the  Sioux  or  Dakotas,  for  whose  souls  no  one  cared, 
and,  having  decided  to  go  to  them,  he  sent  for  his  brother 
Gideon  to  accompany  him. 

When  they  reached  Fort  Snelling  and  had  made  known 
their  errand  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  post,  Maj. 
Bliss,  and  to  the  resident  Indian  agent,  Maj.  Taliaferro, 
they  received  the  hearty  approval  and  co-operation  of  both, 
and  the  agent  at  once  recommended  them  to  commence  work 
with  the  Dakotas  of  Lake  Calhoun  village,  where  some  steps 
had  already  been  taken  in  the  line  of  civilization.  There,  on 
the  margin  of  the  lake,  they  built  their  log  cabin.  Last 
summer  Mr.  King's  grand  Pavilion,  so  called,  was  completed 
on  the  same  spot,  which  gave  occasion  for  Mr.  Gideon  H. 
Pond  to  tell  the  story  of  this  first  effort  in  that  line  : 

"  Just  forty- three  years  previous  to  the  occurrence  above  alluded  to,  on 
the  same  beautiful  site,  was  completed  a  humble  edifice,  built  by  the 
hands  of  two  mexperienced  New  England  boys,  just  setting  out  in  life- 
work.  The  foundation  stones  of  that  hut  were  removed  to  make  place 
for  the  present  Pavilion,  perchance  compose  a  part  of  it.  The  old  struc- 
ture was  of  oak  logs,  carefully  peeled.  The  peeling  was  a  mistake. 
Twelve  feet  by  sixteen  and  eight  feet  high  were  the  dimensions  of  the 
edifice.  Straight  poles  from  the  tamarack  grove  west  of  the  lake,  formed 
the  timbers  of  the  roof,  and  the  roof  itself  was  of  the  bark  of  trees  which 
grew  on  the  bank  of  what  is  now  called  "Bassett's  Creek,"  fastened  with 
strings  of  the  inner  bark  of  the  bass-wood.  A  partition  of  small  logs 
divided  the  house  into  two  rooms,  and  split  logs  furnished  material  for  a 
floor.  The  ceiling  was  of  slabs  from  the  old  government  saw  mill, 
through  the  kindness  of  Major  Bliss,  who  was  in  command  of  Fort 
Snellmg.  The  door  was  made  of  boards  split  from  a  log  with  an  ax, 
having  wooden  hinges  and  fastenings,  and  was  locked  by  pulling  in  the 
latch  string.  The  single  window  was  the  gift  of  the  kind-hearted  Major 
Lawrence  Taliaferro,  United  States  Indian  agent.  The  cash  cost 
of  the  building  was  one  shilling,  New  York  currency,  for  nails  used  m 
and  about  the  door.  "The  formal  opening"  exercises,  consisted  in  read- 
ing a  section  from  the  old  book  by  the  name  of  Bible,  and  prayer  to  Him 
who  was  its  acknowledged  author.  The  "banquet"  consisted  of  mussels 
from  the  lake,  flour  and  water.  The  ground  was  selected  by  ,the  Indian 
chief  of  the  Lake  Calhoun  band  of  Dakotas,  Man-of-the-Sky,  by 
which  he  showed  good  taste.  The  reason  he  gave  for  the  selection  was, 
that  "from  that  point  the  loons  would  be  visible  on  the  lake." 

"The  old  chief  and  his  pagan  people  had  their  homes  on  the  surface 
ot  that  ground,  in  the  bosom  of  which  now  sleep  the  bodies  of  deceased 


360  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

Christians  from  the  city  of  Minneapolis,  the  Lake  Wood  cemetery,  over 
which  these  old  eyes  have  witnessed,  dangling  in  the  night-breeze,  many 
a  Chippewa  scalp,  in  the  midst  of  horrid  chants,  yells  and  wails,  widely 
contrasting  with  the  present  stillness  of  that  quiet  home  of  those 

'Who  sl'^ep  the  yeai's  away.' 
That  hut  was  the  home  of  the  first  citizen  settlers  of  Hennepin  county, 
perhaps  of  Minnesota,  the  first  school  room,  the  first  house  for  divme 
worship,  and  the  first  mission  station  among  the  Dakota  Indians." 

My  own  personal  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Pond  commenced 
in  the  summer  of  1837.  He  was  then,  and  had  been  for  a 
3^ear  previous,  at  Lac  qui  Parle.  In  September  my  wife  and 
1  joined  that  station,  and  the  first  event  occurring  after  that 
which  has  impressed  itself  upon  my  memory  was  the  marriage 
of  Mr.  Pond  and  Miss  Sarah  Poage,  sister  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Wil- 
liamson. This  was  the  first  marriage  ceremony  I  had  been 
called  upon  to  perform;  and  Mr.  Pond  signalized  it  by  mak- 
ing a  feast,  and  calling,  according  to  the  Savior's  injunction, 
''  the  poor,  the  maimed,  the  halt  and  the  blind."  And  there 
was  a  plenty  of  such  to  be  called  in  that  Dakota  village. 
They  could  not  recompense  him,  but  ''he  shall  be  recom- 
pensed at  the  resurrection  of  the  just." 

Mr.  Pond  had  long  been  yearning  to  see  the  inside  of  an, 
Indian.  He  sometimes  said  he  wanted  to  be  an  Indian,  if 
only  for  half  an  hour,  that  he  might  know  how  an  Indian 
felt  and  by  what  motives  he  could  be  moved.  And  so,  when 
the  early  spring  of  1838  came,  and  the  ducks  began  to  come 
northward,  a  half-dozen  Dakota  families  started  for  Lac  qui 
Parle  to  hunt  and  trap  on  the  upper  part  of  the  Chippewa 
river,  in  the  neighborhood  of  where  the  town  of  Benson  now 
is.  Mr.  Pond  went  with  them,  and  was  gone  two  weeks.  It 
was  in  the  month  of  April,  and  the  streams  were  flooded  and 
the  water  was  cold.  There  should  have  been  enough  of  game 
easily  obtained  to  feed  the  party  well.  So  the  Indians  thought. 
But  it  did  n.t  prove  so.  A  cold  spell  came  on,  the  ducks 
disappeared,  and  Mr.  Pond  and  his  Indian  hunters  were  re- 
duced to  scanty  fare,  and  sometimes  they  had  nothing  for  a 
whole  day.  But  Mr.  Pond  was  seeing  inside  of  Indians,  and 
was  quite  willing  to  starve  a  good  deal  in  the  process.  How- 
ever, his  stay  with  them,  and  their  hunt  for  that  time  as  well, 


MEMORIAL  NOTICES  OF  REV.  GIDEON  H.  POND.  361 

was  suddenly  terminated,  by  the  appearance  of  the  Ojibwa 
chief,  HoLE-iN-THE-D  AY,  and  ten  men  with  him.  They  came 
to  smoke  the  peace  pipe,  they  said.  They  were  royally 
feasted  by  three  of  the  families,  who  killed  their  dogs  to  feed 
the  strangers,  who,  in  turn,  arose  in  the  night  and  killed  the 
Dakotas.  As  GrOD  would  have  it,  Mr.  Pond  was  not  then 
with  those  three  tents,  and  so  he  escar)ed. 

No  one  had  started  with  more  of  a  determination  to  master 
the  Dakota  language  than  Gideon  H.  Pond.  And  no  one  of 
the  older  missionaries  succeeded  so  well  in  learning  to  talk 
just  like  a  Dakota.  Indeed,  he  must  have  had  a  peculiar 
aptitude  for  acquiring  language;  for  in  these  first  years  of 
missionary  life  he  learned  to  read  French  and  Latin  and  Greek, 
so  that  the  second  Mrs.  Pond  writes:  ''When  I  came,  and 
for  a  number  of  years,  he  read  from  the  Greek  Testament  at 
our  family  worship  in  the  morning.  Afterward  he  used  his 
Latin  Bible,  and  still  later  his  French  Testament." 

While  Mr.  Pond  was  naturally  ambitious,  he  was  also 
peculiarly  sensitive  and  retiring.  When  the  writer  was  left 
with  him  at  Lac  qui  Parle,  Dr.  Williamson  having  gone  to 
Ohio  for  the  winter,  although  so  much  better  master  of  the 
Dakota  than  I  was,  at  that  time,  he  was  unwilling  to  take 
more  than  a  secondary  part  in  the  Sabbath  services.  "Dr. 
Williamson  and  you  are  ministers,"  he  would  say.  And 
even  years  afterward,  when  he  and  his  family  had  removed  to 
the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Snelling,  and  he  and  his  brother 
had  built  at  Oak  Grove,  with  the  people  of  their  first  love, 
Gideon  H.  could  hardly  be  persuaded  that  it  was  his  duty 
to  become  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel.  I  remember  more  thaji 
one  long  conversation  I  had  with  him  on  this  subject.  He 
seemed  to  shrink  from  it  as  a  little  child,  although  he  was 
then  thirty-seven  years  old. 

In  the  spring  of  1847,  he  and  Mr.  Robert  Hopkins^  were 

1  Robert  Hopkins  was  bom  in  Brown  Co.,  C,  May  23,  1816.  He  pursued  his 
education  for  several  years  at  South  Hanover  College,  Indiana.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Agnes  C.  Johnston,  in  the  winter  of  1842-3,  and  the  following 
spring  they  came  to  Lac  qui  Parle,  as  assistant  missionaries  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M., 
and  soon  after  formed  a  new  station  at  Traverse  des  Sioux.  He  was  ordained 
in  1848,  by  the  Dalcota  Presbytery.  On  July  4, 1851,  he  was  drowned  In  the  Min- 
nesota river  at  Traverse  des  Sioux,  while  bathing,  after  eight  years  faithful 
labor  as  a  missionary.  W. 


362  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

licensed  by  the  Dakota  Presbytery,  and  ordained  in  the  autumn 
of  1848.  We  were  not  disappointed  in  our  men.  Mr.  Hop- 
kins gave  evidence  of  large  adaptation  to  the  missionary 
work,  but  in  less  than  three .  years  he  heard  the  call  of  the 
Master,  and  went  up  through  a  flood  of  waters.  Mr.  Pond, 
notwithstanding  his  hesitation  in  accepting  the  office,  became 
a  most  acceptable  and  efficient  and  successful  preacher  and 
pastor. 

After  the  treaties  of  1851,  those  lower  Sioux  were  removed 
to  the  upper  Minnesota.  White  people  came  in  immediately, 
and  took  possession  of  those  lands.  Mr.  Pond  elected  to 
remain  and  labor  among  the  white  people.  He  very  soon 
organized  a  church,  which,  in  a  short  time,  became  a  work- 
ing, benevolent  church,  for  some  years  the  bamier  Pres- 
byterian church  of  Minnesota  in  the  way  of  benevolence. 
When  in  1873,  Mr.  Pond  resigned  his  pastorate,  he  wrote  in 
his  diary,  "  I  have  preached  to  the  people  of  Bloomington 
twenty  yearsJ'^    He  received  home  mission  aid  only  a  few  years. 

In  the  Spring  of  1853,  Mrs.  Sarah  Poage  Pond  departed, 
after  a  lingering  illness  of  eighteen  months,  and  left  a  "blessed 
memory .''  There  were  seven  children  by  this  marriage,  all 
of  which  are  living  and  have  families  of  their  own,  but  George, 
who  died  while  in  the  Lane  Theological  Seminary.  In  the 
summer  of  1854,  Mr.  Pond  was  married  to  his  second  wife, 
Mrs.  Agnes  C.  J.  Hopkins,  widow  of  Rev.  Robert  Hopkins. 
The  second  Mrs.  Pond  brought  her  three  children,  making  the 
united  family  of  children  at  that  time  ten.  Six  have  been  added 
since.  And  there  are  twenty-two  grandchildren,  six  of  whom 
are  members  of  the  church  of  Christ,  together  with  all  the 
children  and  their  companions.  Is  not  that  a  successful  life  ? 
Counting  the  widowed  mother  and  those  who  have  come  into 
the  family  by  marriage,  there  are,  I  understand,  just  fifty  who 
mourn  the  departure  of  the  patriarch  father.  A  little  more 
than  two  score  years  ago  he  was  one;  and  now,  behold  a 
multitude! 

Mary  Frances  Hopkins,  who  came  into  the  family  when 
a  girl,  and  afterward  married  Edward  R.  Pond,  the  son, 
writes  thus:  ''To  me  he  was  as  near  an  own  father  as  it  is 


MEMORIAL  NOTICES  OF  REV.  GIDEOI?^  H.  POKD.  363 

possible  for  one  to  be  who  is  so  by  adoption,  and  I  shall  always 
be  glad  I  was  allowed  to  call  him  'father.' " 

The  members  of  the  Synod  of  Minnesota  will  remember, 
with  great  pleasure,  Mr.  Pond's  presence  with  them  at  their 
last  meeting  at  St.  Paul,  in  the  middle  of  October.  For  some 
years  past  he  has  frequently  been  unable  to  be  present.  This 
time  he  seemed  to  be  more  vigorous  than  usual,  and  greatly 
entertained  the  Synod  and  people  of  St.  Paul,  with  his  terse 
and  graphic  presentation  of  some  of  the  Lord's  workings  in 
behalf  of  the  Dakotas. 

During  the  meeting  I  was  quartered  with  Mrs.  Governor 
Ramsey.  On  Saturday  I  was  charged  with  a  message  to  Mr. 
Pond,  inviting  him  to  come  and  spend  the  night  at  the  Gov- 
ernor's. We  passed  a  profitable  evening  together,  and  he  and 
I  talked  long  of  the  way  in  which  the  Lord  had  led  us;  of  the 
great  prosperity  He  had  given  us  in  our  families  and  in  our 
work.  Neither  of  us  thought,  probably,  that  that  would  be 
our  last  talk  this  side  the  golden  city.  The  next  day.  Sab- 
bath, he  preached  in  the  morning,  for  Rev.  D.  R.  Breed,  in 
the  House  of  Hope,  which,  probably,  was  his  last  sermon.  In 
the  evening  he  was  with  us  in  the  Opera  House,  at  a  meeting 
in  the  interest  of  Home  and  Foreign  Missions. 

"  His  health  gradually  failed,"  Mrs.  Pond  writes,  "from  the 
time  of  his  return  from  the  Synod,  though  he  did  not  call 
himself  sick  until  the  11th  of  January,  and  he  died  on  Sab- 
bath, the  20th,  about  noon."  She  adds:  "His  interest  in 
the  Indians,  for  whom  he  labored  so  long,  was  very  deep,  and 
he  always  spoke  of  them  with  loving  tenderness,  and  often 
with  tears.  One  of  the  last  things  he  did  was  to  look  over 
his  old  Dakota  hymns,  revised  by  J.  P.  W.  and  A.  L.  R.,  and 
sent  to  him  for  his  consent  to  the  proposed  alterations." 

"  His  simple  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  caused  him  all  the 
time  to  live  a  life  of  self  denial,  that  he  might  do  more  to 
spread  the  knowledge  of  Jesus'  love  to  those  who  knew  it 
not."  The  love  of  Christ  constrained  him,  and  was  his  ruling 
passion. 

Of  his  last  days  the  daughter  says: 

"He  really  died  of  consumption.    The  nine  days  he  was 
42 


364:  MIlfNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIOKS. 

confined  to  bed  he  suffered  much,  but  his  mind  was  mostly 
clear,  and  he  was  very  glad  to  go.  I  think  the  summons  was 
no  more  sudden  to  him  than  to  Elijah.  He  was  to  the  last, 
loving  and  trustful,  brave  and  patient.  To  his  brother  Sam- 
uel, as  he  came  to  his  sick  bed,  he  said:  '  So  we  go  to  see 
each  other  die.'  Sometime  before,  he  had  visited  Samuel 
when  he  did  not  expect  to  recover.  '  My  struggles  are  over. 
The  Lord  has  taken  care  of  me,  and  will  take  care  of  the  rest 
of  you.     My  hope  is  in  the  Lord,'  he  said. 

"  Toward  the  last  it  was  hard  for  him  to  converse,  and  he 
bade  us  no  formal  farewell.  But  the  words,  as  we  noted  them 
down,  were  words  of  cheer  and  comfort:  'You  have  nothing 
to  fear  for  the  present  or  the  future.'  And  so  was  given  to 
him  the  victory  over  death,  through  faith  in  Jesus." 

Is  that  dying?  He  sleeps  with  his  fathers.  He  has  gone 
to  see  the  King  in  His  beauty,  in  a  land  not  very  far  off. 

As  loving  hands  ministered  to  him  in  his  sickness,  loving 
hearts  mourned  at  his  death.  On  the  Wednesday  following, 
he  was  buried.  A  half  dozen  brothers  in  the  ministry  were 
I)resent  at  his  funeral,  and  fittingly,  Mr.  Breed,  of  the  House 
of  Hope,  preached  the  sermon. 

This  is  success. 


III.    tribute  to  MR.  pond  BY  GEN.  H.  H.  SIBLEY,  IN  THE  PIONEER 
PRESS,  JAN.  26, 1878. 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Pioneer  Press  : 

"Within  a  week  past  your  paper  contained  the  announce- 
ment of  the  death  of  Rev.  Gideon"  H.  Poi^d,  in  Bloomington, 
in  the  county  of  Hennepin,  and  the  notice  was  accompanied 
by  a  brief  sketch  of  his  career.  Mr.  Pond  was  so  old  a  st  t- 
tier,  and  his  connection  with  missionary  work  among  the 
Sioux  Indians  so  important,  that  his  demise  should  not  be 
regarded  as  an  ordinary  event  in  the  history  of  our  territory 
and  state.     • 

When  the  writer  came  to  this  country  m  1834,  he  did  not 
expect  to  meet  a  single  white  man  except  those  composing 
the  garrison  at  Fort  Snelling,  a  few  government  officials  at- 
tached to  the  department  of  Indian  affairs,  and  the  voyageurs 
employed  by  the  great  fur  company  in  its  business.     There 


MEMORIAL  NOTICES  OF  REV.  GIDEON  H.  POND.  365 

was  but  one  house,  or  rather  log  cabin,  along  the  entire  dis- 
tance of  nearly  300  miles  between  Prairie  du  Chien  and  St. 
Peters,  now  Mendota,  and  that  was  at  a  point  below  Lake 
Pepin,  near  the  present  town  of  Wabasha.  What  was  his 
surprise  then,  to  find  that  his  advent  had  been  preceded  in  the 
spring  of  the  same  year  by  two  young  Americans,  Samuel 
W.  Pond  and  Gideon  H.  Pond,  brothers,  scarcely  out  of  their 
teens,  who  had  built  for  themselves  a  small  hut  at  the  Indian 
village  of  Lake  Calhoun,  and  had  determined  to  consecrate 
their  lives  in  the  work  of  civilizing  and  Christianizing  the 
wild  Sioux.  For  many  long  years  these  devoted  men  labored 
in  the  cause,  through  manifold  difficulties  and  discourage- 
ments, sustained  by  a  faith  that  the  seed  sown  would  make 
itself  manifest  in  God's  good  time.  The  efforts  then  made  to 
reclaim  the  savages  from  their  mode  of  life,  the  influence  of 
their  blameless  and  religious  walk  and  conversation  upon 
those  with  whom  they  were  brought  in  daily  contact,  and  the 
self-denial  and  personal  sacrifices  required  at  their  hands,  are 
doubtless  treasured  up  in  a  higher  than  human  record.  When 
the  Indians  were  removed,  in  compliance  with  treaty  stipula- 
tions, the  brothers  accompanied  them,  ministering  to  their 
bodily  and  spiritual  wants,  and  remaining  with  them  until 
incessant  labors  and  exposure,  admonished  the  self-sacrificing 
pair  of  the  fact  that  there  was  a  limit  to  human  endurance, 
bej^ond  which  it  is  not  their  duty  to  venture.  There  were 
other  responsibilities  resting  upon  them,  demanding  time  and 
attention,  so  that  after  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  passed 
in  active  missionary  service  with  the  Indians,  they  retired 
from  the  field,  the  Rev,  S,  W.  Pond  to  Shakopee,  and  his 
brother  Gideon  to  Bloomington,  where  he  became  the  pastor 
of  a  congregation,  in  charge  of  which  he  continued  until  dis- 
abled by  physical  infirmities.  Gifted  with  an  uncommonly 
fine  constitution,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  met  with  an  ac- 
cident in  his  early  days,  from  the  effects  of  which  it  is  ques- 
tionable if  he  ever  entirely  recovered.  He  broke  -through 
tne  ice  at  Lake  Harriet  in  the  early  part  of  the  winter,  and 
as  there  was  no  one  at  hand  to  afford  aid,  he  only  saved  his 
life  after  a  desperate  struggle,  by  coxitinuing  to  fracture  the 
1  rozen  jsurface  until  he  reached  shallow  water,  when  he  sue- 


366  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

ceeded  in  extricating  himself.  His  long  immersion  and  ex- 
haustive efforts  brought  on  a  severe  attack  of  pneumonia, 
which  for  many  days  threatened  a  fatal  termination. 

The  withdrawal  of  the  brothers  from  missionary  ground,  by 
no  means  diminished  their  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  ill- 
fated  race  to  whom  the  best  period  of  their  lives  had  been 
devoted.  Their  leisure  hours  were  spent  in  translating  por- 
tions of  the  Bible  and  kindred  works  into  the  Dakota  or 
Sioux  language,  with  which  both  of  them  were  as  familiar  as 
were  the  Indians  themselves.  Indeed,  to  them,  and  to  their 
veteran  co-laborers,  Rev.  T.  S.  Williamson  and  Rev.  S.  R. 
R]GGS,  the  credit  is  to  be  ascribed  of  having  produced  this 
rude  and  rich  Dakota  tongue  to  the  learned  world  in  a  written 
and  systematical  shape,  the  lexicon  prepared  by  their  joint 
labors  forming  one  of  the  publications  of  the  Smithsonian 
Institute  at  Washington  City,  which  has  justly  elicited  the 
commendation  of  experts  in  philological  lore,  as  a  most  valu- 
able contribution  to  that  branch  of  literature.  Furthermore, 
the  brothers  continued  to  receive  frequent  visits  from  their 
straggling  native  friends,  whose  invariable  demand  for  food 
and  other  necessaries,  have  been  cheerfully  met  to  the'extent 
of  the  slender  resources  of  their  entertainers. 

Both  of  the  Messrs.  Pond  were  regularly  ordained  Presby- 
terian ministers,  but  their  love  for  their  fellow  men  was  by 
no  means  bounded  by  sectarian  bias.  Singularly  modest  and 
unobtrusive,  the  spirit  of  that  charity  which  ''suffereth  long 
and  is  kind,"  and  "vaunteth  not  itself"  dominated  all  their 
actions,  and  secured  for  them  the  respect  and  attachment  of 
many  who  were  not  in  accord  with  their  peculiar  religious 
tenets. 

The  surviving  brother  cannot  but  lament  the  departure  of 
him  with  whom  he  was  wont  to  hold  loving  counsel  during 
many  years,  but  with  the  immediate  family  of  the  deceased 
and  his  many  friends,  including  all  of  the  old  settlers,  he 
finds  consolation  in  the  reflection  that  the  spirit  of  the  de- 
parted has  entered  into  that  rest  which  is  abiding  and  eternaK 

St.  Paul,  Jan.  25,  1878. 


MEMORIAL   NOTICES   OF  REV.   GIDEON   H.   POND.  367 

IV.     TRIBUTE   TO  MR.  POND,   BY   REV.   THOS.  S.  WILLIAMSON    PUB- 
LISHED IN  THE  "  HERALD  AND  PRESBYTER."  MARCH  20,  1878. 

Rev.  Gideon  H.  Pond  was  born  in  Litchfield  county,  Con- 
necticut, June  30, 1810.  In  May,  1834,  with  his  older  brother, 
Samuel  W.,  who  survives  him,  he  came  to  Fort  Snelling,  to 
make  known  the  gospel  to  the  Dakotas,  then  more  wild  than 
any  of  the  Aborigines  of  our  country  to  whom  the  gospel  had 
ever  been  preached.  The  brothers  were  sons  of  a  farmer; 
knew  no  language  but  English,  and  had  no  education  except 
such  as  they  had  received  from  a  pious  mother,  and  in  the 
common  schools  of  Connecticut.  They  had  heard  that  the 
Sioux  near  the  Falls  of  Saint  Anthony,  were  very  poor  and 
miserable,  having  no  one  to  tell  them  of  the  Saviour  so  pre- 
cious to  themselves,  and  came  to  help  them.  They  had  no 
promise  or  expectation  of  aid  from  any  society  or  individual. 
They  brought  with  them  a  good  supply  of  clothing,  part  of 
which  had  been  manufactured  by  their  mother's  own  hands; 
some  money,  earned  by  their  own,  and  their  Bibles.  By  per- 
mission and  advice  of  the  Indian  Agent,  they  built,  with  their 
own  hands,  a  small  log  cabin  near  the  Indian  village  at  Lake 
Calhoun,  now  in  the  suburbs  of  Minneapolis.  After  plowing 
the  fields  of  the  Indians,  with  a  yoke  of  oxen  furnished  by  the 
agent,  they  made  one  for  themselves,  and  raised  a  crop  of  corn, 
which  went  far  toward  supporting  them  for  the  year;  all  the 
time  applying  themselves  diligently  to  the  acquisition  of  the 
Dakota  language,  which  had  not  then  been  reduced  to  a  writ- 
ten form.  To  acquire,  and  reduce  it  to  writing,  with  the  lit- 
tle help  they  would  get  from  an  interpreter,  required  much 
patient  study;  but  they  accomplished  it. 

In  the  summer  of  1836,  he,  by  invitation,  went  to  Lac  qui 
Parle,  where  the  Indians  were  more  inclined  to  receive  instruc- 
tion, than  those  near  Fort  Snelling.  For  nearly  three  years, 
he  there  assisted  us  in  learning  the  language,  and  in  prepar- 
ing the  first  school  books  printed  in  it;  in  teaching  the  Dako- 
tas their  religion  and  letters,  and  in  building,  and  other  secu- 
lar labors.  There,  also,  he  was  married  to  his  first  wife.  Miss 
Sarah  Poage,  who  had  come  out  as  teacher,  with  her  sister, 
Mrs.  Williamson. 

In  the  spring  of  1839,  his  brother  and  wife  being  left  alone 


368  MINNESOTA  HISTO^tlCAL  COLLECTIONS. 

in  the  mission  work  near  Fort  Snelling,  he  returned  to  their 
assistance,  and  at  the  earnest  request  of  the  Indians,  was 
appointed  farmer  for  them  under  government,  at  a  salary  of 
1600  a  year,  The  duties  of  this  office  he  discharged  to  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  all  concerned,  till  he  felt  it  his  duty  to 
resign,  that  he  might  devote  himself  more  entirely  to  laboring 
for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  Indians. 

In  September,  1846,  Dakota  Presbytery  was  organized,  and 
he  and  Hobert  Hopkins  were  received  under  its  care"  as  can- 
didates for  the  ministry.  Next  year  they  were  licensed  to 
preach,  and  in  September,  184S,  they  were  ordained.  The 
field  about  him  was,  at  that  time,  a  very  hard  one  in  which 
to  sow  the  good  seed  of  the  word.  The  medicine  men  among 
the  Indians,  a  numerous  and  influential  class,  saw  that  the 
success  of  the  gospel  would  destroy  their  craft.  They  were 
encouraged  in  their  opposition  by  the  Roman  Catholic  traders, 
who  had  great  influence,  and  said  (perhaps  believing  it  true) 
that  Christianity  and  civilization  were  very  injurious  to  the 
Indians;  and  they  made  them  believe  that,  in  consequence  of 
their  listening  to  missionaries,  several  thousand  dollars  of 
their  annuities  were  kept  from  them  every  year.  Nothing 
was  attempted  against  the  persons  of  the  missionaries,  but 
the  medicine  men  went  from  village  to  village,  threatening 
with  death  any  who  listened  to  religious  instruction,  or  suf- 
fered their  children  to  attend  school,  and  boasting  that  by 
their  conjurations  they  had  caused  the  death  of  several  per- 
sons, whose  deaths,  there  is  good  reason  to  suppose  they  had 
caused  by  poison.  These  persons  had  not  professed  to  be 
Christians,  but  manifested  an  inclination  to  become  such.  It 
is  not  strange,  that,  in  such  circumstances,  the  number  of 
converts  was  small.     But  the  good  seed  was  not  all  lost. 

In  the  autumn  of  1862,  many  of  these  Sioux  were  impris- 
oned for  warring  against  the  United  States.  During  the  fol- 
lowing winter  the  gospel  was  preached  to  them  in  prison,  and 
they  gladly  received  it,  saying,  " The  Messrs.  Pond  told  us 
these  things  long  ago.  We  knew  they  were  true,  but  were 
afraid  to  obey;  therefore  evil  has  come  upon  us."  By  request. 
Rev.  G.  H.  Pond  visited  and  preached  to  them,  and,  on  Feb- 
ruary 3,  1863,  baptized  more  than  fifty  men,  on  profession  of 


MEMORIAL  iq-OTICES   OF  REV.   GIDEOiT  H.   POND.  369 

their  faith  in  Jesus.  Several  of  these  have  since  been  rulino- 
elders,  and  one,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  a  licensed  preacher. 

But  Bro.  Pond's  labors  were  not  confined  to  the  red  men. 
The  Presbyterian  Church,  organized  in  Fort  Snelling  in  1835, 
by  the  removal  of  all  the  officers  and  most  of  the  members, 
had  become  nearly  extinct.  By  his  labors  it  was  resuscitated 
and  re-organized  in  1849,  and,  to  be  more  central  for  the 
members,  the  place  of  meeting  was  transferred  to  Little  Falls 
Creek,  where  he  preached  regularly  for  several  years.  After 
Minneapolis,  west  of  the  Mississippi,  began  to  be  settled,  he 
preached  there,  and  gathered  the  first  Presbyterian  Church  in 
that  city.  When,  in  consequence  of  having  sold  the  land, 
the  Dakotas  were  compelled  to  leave  the  neighborhood,  he 
would  have  chosen  to  go  with  or  follow  them,  but  the  cir- 
cumstances of  his  family  did  not  admit  of  it;  and  from  that 
time  he  labored  chiefly  among  the  white  population.  For 
several  vears  he  preached  two  or  three  sermons  every  Sabbath, 
and  rode  twenty  to  thirty  miles  to  meet  his  appointments. 
He  al  o  attended  one  or  two  evening  prayer-meetings  weekly, 
traveling  from  five  to  fifteen  miles  to  do  so,  even  in  nights 
when  the  snow  was  drifting,  and  the  thermometer  was  far 
below  zero. 

As  the  country  became  more  densely  settled,  the  field  of  his 
labors  was  contracted,  but  the  amount  ot  them  not  diminished. 
Few  of  those  who  settled  near  him  were  Presbyterians,  or 
members  of  any  Protestant  church ;  yet  from  among  them  he 
gathered  a  self-sustaining  Presbyterian  Church,  the  first,  and 
as  yet,  the  only  one  of  the  kind  in  Minnesota,  outside  of  the 
cities  and  county-seats.  In  all  this  time,  his  salary  was  so 
small  that,  in  order  to  support  his  family,  he  labored  three  or 
four  days  each  week  witii  his  hands;  accomplishing  more  in 
those  days  than,  most  men  do  in  six.  I  suppose  the  largest 
salary  he  ever  received,  was  $600  a  year  from  the  United  States 
government,  for  farming  for  the  Indians.  At  that  time  he 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Dakota  Mission.  ,  By  a  rule 
of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.,  all  moneys  received  by  members  of  any 
mission  as  compensation  for  secular  labor,  was  at  the  disposal 
of  the  mission  and  not  of  the  person  receiving  it.  In  his  case 
the  mission  said  that,  as  he  had  never  received  any  salary 


370  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

from  the  Board,  and  the  other  farmers  for  the  Indians,  receiv- 
ing a  like  salary  from  the  Government,  spent  the  whole  of  it 
in  supporting  their  families,  his  salary  was  his  own,  and  we 
had  nothing  to  do  with  it.  Nevertheless,  as  he  knew  that 
the  rest  of  us  received  only  a  bare  support  for  our  families, 
which  at  that  time  was  less  than  $600  for  any  family,  he 
determined  he  would  not  have  more  than  the  rest,  and  after 
he  resigned,  made  an  exact  calculation,  and  found  that  he  had 
saved  several  hundred  dollars,  he  gave  it  all  to  benevolent 
objects.  I  know  not  the  exact  amount,  but  know  he  gave  to 
the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.,  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society, 
American  Bible  Society,  and  the  American  Tract  Society, 
each  $100;  $400  to  the  four. 

While  laboring  thus  assiduously,  neither  his  family  nor 
the  cultivation  of  his  own  mind,  nor  his  sermons,  were  neg- 
lected. Most  of  his  English  discourses  were  written  out  in 
full,  though  he  did  not  always  read  them.  Though  not  a 
fluent  speaker,  wherever  he  preached,  people  heard  him  gladly. 
He  purchased  a  good,  though  not  a  large  library,  and  made  a 
good  use  of  it.  After  coming  among  the  Dakotas,  he  not 
only  learned  their  language,  but  Latin,  Greek  and  French, 
and  read  the  Holy  Scriptures  in  all  these  languages. 

Few  will  suppose  a  man  could  accomplish  so  much  without 
a  helpmeet.  God  was  pleased  to  give  him  two  such,  worthy 
of  him.  Of  the  first,  I  have  already  made  mention.  She  was 
called  to  her  rest  in  1853,  leaving  him  seven  children.  One 
of  these,  after  graduating  at  Marietta,  died  of  cholera  while 
a  student  at  Lane  Theological  Seminary.  The  other  six  are 
all  living  and  useful  members  of  Christ's  church. 

Some  two  years  after,  he  married  the  widow  of  Rev.  Robert 
Hopkins,  a  grand-daughter  of  Robert  G.  Wilson,  D.  D., 
long  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Chillicothe, 
and  some  years  President  of  Ohio  University,  at  Athens.  At 
the  time  of  her  second  marriage  she  had  three  children  of 
Mr,  Hopkins'  living;  and  she  bore  Mr.  Pond  six,  all  whom 
are  living,  and  communicants  in  Christian  churches,  as  are 
the  husbands  and  wives  of  his  six,  and  her  four  children  who 
are  married.  Of  his  twenty-two  grand-children,  six  are  com- 
municants, and  the  oldest  who  is  not,  is  only  eleven  years  old. 


MEMORIAL  i^'OTICES  OF  REV.  GIDEON  H.  POND.  371 

He  left  to  his  widow  and  minor  children  a  good  farm,  on 
which  he  lived  more  than  thirt}^  years,  and  had  built  a  good 
house  and  barn,  and  his  cattle  and  horses,  unincumbered  with 
debt.  He  had  naturally  good  health,  but  labors  like  his,  wear 
out  our  clay  tenements.  After  preaching  twenty  years  to  his 
neighbors  who  composed  the  Bloomington  church,  in  the 
fall  of  1873  he  resigned  the  pastorate  of  that  church,  feehng 
that  his  strength  was  insufficient  to  discharge  the  duties  as 
he  had  done;  though  for  several  months,  until  another  pastor 
was  obtained,  he  occupied  the  pulpit  most  of  the  time.  Sub- 
sequently he  preached  occasionally  there,  and  elsewhere,  when 
he  felt  able  and  was  invited  to  do  so.  The  esteem  in  which 
he  was  held  as  a  preacher  appears  from  the  fact  that  when 
Synod  was  in  session  at  St.  Paul  last  autumn,  by  special  in- 
vitation, on  Sabbath  morning  he  preached  in  the  wealthiest 
Presbyterian  church  in  the  city. 

For  several  months  he  had  suffered  from  soreness  in  his 
lungs,  which  increased,  and  resulted  in  acute  pneumonia. 
When  informed  that  he  would  probably  die  soon,  he  seemed 
pleased,  and  said:  "  I  have  no  anxiet5\  I  would  prefer  to 
die  now.'' 

He  never  lost  his  interest  in  the  Dakotas,  nor  did  they 
cease  to  love  him.  Within  the  last  ten  years  several  families 
of  them  returned  and  settled  near  him.  These  he  instructed 
in  their  own  tongue,  and  nearly  a  dozen  became  communi- 
cants in  his  church,  and  regular  attendants,  being  taught  in 
the  Sabbath  school  by  one  of  his  children.  They  were  at  his 
funeral,  and  when  they  saw  his  face  for  the  last  time,  big  tears 
dropped  from  their  cheeks  to  the  floor  of  the  church. 


IN  MEMORY  OF  REV.THOS.  S,  WILLIAM- 
SON, M.  D. 


I.    FKOM  A    SKETCH  BY  KEV.  STEPHEN  R.  RTGGS,  D.  D  ,  IN  THE  NEW 
YORK  EVANGELIST,  JULY  17.  1879. 


Fifty  years  ago  in  this  month  of  July,  my  mother  was 
lying  sick  unto  death  in  the  town  of  Ripley,  Ohio.  We  were 
comparatively  strangers  there,  having  come  down  from 
Steubenville  only  three  months  before.  There  came  daily 
into  that  sick  room,  a  young  physician  of  a  half-dozen  years' 
practice.  That  was  the  beginning  of  my  acquaintance  with 
Dr.  Williamson.  Daring  the  next  three  or  four  years,  no 
man  in  Ripley  attended  our  examinations  in  Latin  and  Greek 
more  regularly,  or  manifested  a  deeper  interest  in  our  pro- 
gress. This  was  my  boy  acquaintance  with  him.  But  now 
for  forty  and  two  full  years,  he  and  I  have  been  intimately 
associated  in  the  missionary  work  in  the  land  of  the  Dakotas. 

Thomas  Smith  Williamsoi?"  was  born  in  Union  District, 
South  Carolina,  in  March,  1800.  He  was  the  son  of  Rev, 
William  Williamsok  and  Mary  Smith — a  second  marriage. 
At  this  time  the  father  was  pastor  of  the  church  at  Fair 
Forest.  When  only  a  boy  of  eighteen  he  had  been  drafted 
into  the  army,  and  accompanied  Gates  in  his  unfortunate  ex- 
pedition throughout  the  Carolinas.  Afterwards  he  was  grad- 
uated at  Hampden  Sydney  College,  and  became  a  minister  of 
the  Gospel.  By  both  his  marriages  he  had  come  into  the 
possession  of  slaves,  as  well  as  from  his  own  father,  Thomas 
Williamson",  whose  wife  was  Ann  Newton,  a  distant  relative 
of  Sir  Isaac  Newton.  By  the  will  of  his  father,  the  slaves 
so  coming  to  him  were  to  be  set  free;  and  to  accomplish  this 
object  for  all  in  his  possession.  Rev.  William  Williamson, 
in  1805,  while  Thomas  Smith  Williamson  was  a  little  lad, 
removed  from  South  Carolina  to  Adams  county,  Ohio. 


MEMOIR    OF  REV.   T.   S.   WILLIAMSON.  373 

Thus  the  boy  Thomas  had  the  advantage  of  growing  up  in 
the  atmosphere  of  a  free  state,  and  with  inherited  antipathies 
to  the  wrong  of  slavery.  In  due  time  he  was  sent  to  Jeffer- 
son College,  at  Cannonsburg,  Pa.,  where  he  graduated  in  the 
autumn  of  1820.  For  the  next  three  or  four  years  he  gave 
himself  to  the  study  of  medicine,  attending  lectures,  first  at 
Cincinnati,  and  afterwards  in  Yale  Medical  College,  where  he 
took  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  the  spring  of  1824. 
Returning  to  Ohio,  he  commenced  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession in  West  Union.  But  the  next  year  he  removed  to 
Ripley,  where  he  built  up  a  very  fair  practice,  in  which  he 
continued  eight  years. 

In  the  spring  of  1827  he  married  into  one  of  the  first 
families  of  Mason  county,  Ky.,  Margaret  Poage,  daughter 
of  Col.  James  Poage,  who  was  the  proprietor  of  the  town  of 
Ripley.  Into  this  new  family  there  came  during  the  next 
six  years  three  children,  but  the  Lord  took  them,  and  the 
father  and  mother  were  left  alone.  This,  more  than  anything 
else,  induced  him  to  abandon"|the  practice  of  medicine  and 
seek  the  Gospel  ministry.  •  In  these  family  bereavements  he 
heard  the  Master's  voice  saying  to  him,  ''  Come  up  higher." 

Accordingly  in  the  spring  of  1833  he  placed  himself  under 
the  care  of  the  Chillicothe  Presbytery,  and  commenced  the 
study  of  theology.  The  winter  following,  he  spent  in  the 
Lane  Theological  Seminary,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  by 
his  Presbytery  in  the  spring  of  1834.  The  change  in  his  pro- 
fession was  made  with  the  intention  of  devoting  himself  to 
missionary  work  among  the  aborigines  of  this  country.  And 
now,  immediately  after  his  licensure,  we  find  him  with  an 
appointment  from  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners 
for  Foreign  Missions  "to  proceed  on  an  exploring  tour  among 
the  Indians  of  the  Upper  Mississippi,  with  special  reference 
to  the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  but  to  collect  what  information  he 
could  in  reference  to  the  Sioux,  Winnebagoes  and  other  In- 
dians." 

He  went  as  far  as  Fort  Snelling,  and  found  what  appeared 
to  be  an  open  door  among  the  Dakotas  or  Sioux.  There  he 
met  the  brothers  Pond,  Samuel  W.  and  Gideon  H.,  from 
Connecticut,  who  had  only  gone  up  the   Mississippi  a  few 


374  MIKifESOTA  HISTOKICAL  COLLECTION'S. 

weeks  before  he  did,  and  were  now  building  their  log  cabin 
on  the  margin  of  Lake  Calhoun.  So  he  returned  to  Ohio, 
made  his  report  to  those  who  sent  him,  and  on  the  18th  of 
September,  1834,  was  ordained  as  a  missionary  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  Chillicothe,  A  few  months  later  he  received  his  ap- 
pointment as  a  missionary  of  the  American  Board  of  Com- 
missioners for  Foreign  Missions  to  the  Dakotas;  and  on  the 
first  day  of  April,  1835,  Dr.  Williamson  with  his  family,  ac- 
companied by  Alexander  G.  Huggins  and  family,  embarked 
at  Ripley,  Ohio,  on  a  steamboat;  and  on  the  16th  of  May 
they  arrived  at  Fort  Sneiling.  Here  they  stopped  for  a  few 
weeks,  and  participated  in  a  work  of  grace  then  going  on 
within  the  garrison,  and  assisted  in  organizing  the  first  Chris- 
tian church  in  what  is  now  the  state  of  Minnesota. 

Already  they  had  left  civilization  far  behind  them,  but  the 
open  door  to  Dr.  Williamson  and  his  party  seemed  to  be  far 
in  the  interior.  They  would  fain  have  stopped  at  the  Dakota 
village  on  Lake  Calhoun,  but  their  thought  was  not  the  Lord's 
thought.  Joseph  Renville,  the  fur  trader  from  Lac  qui 
Parle,  was  there,  and  invited  them  to  go  up  with  him.  Ac- 
cordingly, on  the  23d  of  June,  they  embarked  on  the  Fur 
Company's  Mackinaw  boat,  and  ascended  the  St.  Peter's  or 
Minnesota  river,  as  far  as  Traverse  des  Sioux,  which  they 
reached  on  the  last  of  the  month.  From  that  point  they  made 
aland  journey  over  the  prairie,  of  about  125  miles,  to  Lac  qui 
Parle,  which  they  reached  on  the  9th  of  July,  1835.  There, 
on  the  north  side  of  the  Minnesota  river,  and  in  sight  of 
"  The  Lake-that-Speaks"  to  man,  or  ''  The  Lake  of  Echoes," 
as  it  was  formerly  understood,  they  established  themselves  as 
teachers  of  the  religion  of  Jesus. 

Of  the  "  Life  and  Labors"  pressed  into  the  next  forty  years, 
only  the  most  meager  outline  could  be  given  in  this  article. 
I  prefer,  rather,  to  make  some  groupings  from  which  the  life 
may  be  imagined. 

There  only  lacks  one  year  now  of  two  round  centuries,  since 
Hennepin  and  Du  Luth  met  in  the  camps  and  villages  of  the 
Sioux  on  the  Missis.^ippi.  Then,  as  since,  the}^  were  recog- 
nized as  the  largest  and  most  warlike  tribe  of  Indians  on  the 
continent.    Until  Dr.  Williamson  and  his  associates  went 


r 


MEMOIR   OF   REV.   T.   S.   WILLIAMSON".  375 

among  them,  there,  does  not  appear  to  have  been  any  effort 
made  to  civilize  and  Christianize  them.  With  the  exception 
of  a  few  hundred  words  gathered  by  army  officers  and  others, 
the  Dakota  language  was  unwritten.  This  was  to  be  learned, 
mastered;  which  was  found  to  be  no  small  undertaking, 
especially  to  one  who  had  attained  the  age  of  thirty-five 
years.  While  men  of  less  energy  and  pluck  would  have 
knocked  off,  and  been  content  to  work  as  best  they  could 
through  an  interpreter.  Dr.  Williamson"  persevered,  and  in 
less  than  two  years  was  preaching  Christ  to  them,  in  the  lan- 
guage in  which  they  were  born.  He  never  spoke  it  easily, 
nor  jast  like  an  Indian,  but  he  was  readily  understood  by 
those  who  were,  accustomed  to  hear  him.  Many  years  after, 
when  he  and  I  were  traveling  among  the  Tetons  of  the  Mis- 
souri, who  speak  a  dialect  different  from  the  one  we  learned, 
they  complained  that  they  could  not  understand  the  Doctor's 
religious  talks.  I  suggested  that  he  speak  more  slowly;  which 
he  did,  and  with  better  effect. 

When  I  joined  the  band  of  workers  at  Lac  qui  Parle,  in  the 
Autumn  of  1837,  1  found  Dr.  Williamson:  and  Mr.  Gideon" 
H  Pond  engaged  in  obtaining  through  the  French  language 
and  Mr.  Renville,  some  translations  of  the  word  of  God. 
The  Gospel  of  Mark  was  the  first  book  completed,  and  Dr. 
Williamson  made  a  visit  to  Ohio  in  the  fall  of  1839,  to  have 
it  printed.  The  Gospel  of  John  and  some  other  portions 
were  translated  into  the  Dakota  in  the  same  way.  As  trans- 
lations these  were  not  very  exact,  but  they  were  invaluable 
to  us,  since  they  gave  us  so  many  moulds,  so  to  speak,  of 
Christian  thought.  After  that  we  commenced  translating 
from  the  original  Hebrew  and  Greek;  and  for  these  forty  years 
it  has  been  my  privilege  to  work  side  by  side  and  hand  to 
hand  with  Dr.  Williamson,  in  the  labor  of  giving  the  Bible 
to  the  Dakotas. 

Not  in  this  part  of  the  work  alone,  but  in  other  forms  of 
missionary  labor  as  well,  I  have  often  admired  the  indomitable 
courage  and  perseverance  of  Dr.  Williamson.  There  have 
been  dark  days  in  the  history  of  the  Dakota  Mission,  when 
my  own  heart  would,  I  think,  have  failed  me  if  it  had  not 
been  for  the  "  hold  on  and  hold  out  to  the  end  "  of  my  best 


376  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

earthly  friend.  And  when,  the  other  day,  I  heard  that  he 
was  gone,  I  seemed  to  feel  as  I  ima;^ine  a  man  in  line  of  battle 
would,^when  his  comrade  standing  right  in  front  of  him  is 
stricken  down;  shoved  to  the  front. 

It  was  by  a  divine  guidance  that  the  station  of  Lac  qui 
Parle  was  commenced.  The  Indians  there  were  very  poor  in 
this  world's  goods,  not  more  than  half  a  dozen  houses  being 
owned  in  a  village  of  400  people.  They  were  far  in  the  inte- 
rior and  received  no  annuities  from  government.  Thus  they 
were  in  a  condition  to  be  helped  in  many  ways  by  the  mission. 
Under  its  influence  and  by  its  help,  their  corn  patches  were 
enlarged  and  their  agriculture  improved.  Dr.  Williamson 
also  found  abundant  opportunities  for  the  practice  of  medicine 
among  them.  Not  that  they  gave  up  their  pow-wows  and 
conjuiing,  but  many  families  were  found  quite  willing  that 
the  white  Pay-zhe-Jioo-ta-we-ch ash-fa  (Grass  Root  Man) 
should  try  his  skill  with  the  rest.  For  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century,  his  medical  aid  went  hand  in  hand  with  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel.  By  the  helpfulness  of  the  mission 
in  various  ways  a  certain  amount  of  confidence  was  secured. 
Through  the  influence  of  Mr.  Renville,  a  few  men,  but 
especially  the  women,  gathered  to  hear  the  good  news  of  sal- 
vation. A  native  church  was  organized.  Dr.  Williamson 
writes:  ''In  the  year  ending. May,  1836,  three  persons  had 
been  received  on  examination;  in  the  following  year,  tour; 
and  in  the  next  year,  nine;  ten  in  the  year  ending  May,  1839; 
in  the  next  year,  five;  and  in  that  ending  in  the  spring  of 
1841.  nine;  making  forty  in  all.  In  May,  1842,  it  was 
recorded:  "Within  a  year,  nine  full-blooded  Dakotas  have 
been  received  to  the  church;  three  men  and  six  women.'' 

This  shows  a  successful  mission  work.  In  the  year  1842. 
the  book  of  Genesis  and  a  portion  of  the  Psalms,  together 
with  about  two-thirds  of  the  New  Testament,  besides  a  Dc*kota 
hymn  book  and  several  school  books,  were  printed.  But  in 
the  meantime  the  war  prophets  and  the  so-called  medicine 
men,  were  becoming  suspicious  of  the  new  religion.  They 
began  to  understand  that  the  religion  of  Christ  antagonized 
their  own  ancestral  faith;  and  so  they  organized  opposition. 
The  children  were  forbidden  to  attend  the    mission  school; 


MEMOIR  OF   REV.   T.   S.   WILLIAMSON.  377 

Dakota  soldiers  were  stationed  along  the  paths,  and  the 
women's  blankets  were  cut  up,  when  they  attempted  to  go  to 
church.  Year  after  year  the  mission  cattle  were  killed  and 
eaten.  At  one  time,  Dr  Williamson  was  obliged  to  hitch  up 
milch  cows  to  haul  his  wood  with;  the  only  animals  left  him. 
Regarding  this  period,  Dr.  Williamson  himself,  in  his  ser- 
mon before  the  Synod  of  Minnesota  in  1858,  said  : 

**  But  we  had  other  difficulties  to  contend  with,  besides  those  arising 
from  learning  a  difficult  and  unwritten  language.  Paul,  the  Apostle  of 
the  Gentiles,  had  to  labor,  not  only  in  journeying  and  preaching  the  Gos- 
pel, but  even  in  the  rich  city  of  Corinth,  the  labor  of  his  own  hands  pro- 
vided for  himself  necessary  food  and  clothing;  and  those  who  are  like 
him,  striving  to  preach  Christ  where  he  has  not  been  much  known, 
must  not  think  it  strange  if  they  have  to  imitate  him,  in  laboring  with 
their  hands.  When  the  Dakota  Mission  was  commenced  we  were  in- 
fonued  that  we  must  use  the  strictest  economy  in  our  expenses. 

About  the  close  ot  the  year  1837  or  1838,  we  were  instructed  that  our 
drafts  on  the  treasury  of  the  Board  must  in  no  case  exceed  eleven  hundred 
dollars  a  year.  There  were  at  that  time,  laboring  at  the  two  stations, 
Lake  Harriet  and  Lac  qui  Parle,  three  ordained  ministers,  two  other  men 
as  teachers  and  farmers,  six  women,  two  of  whom  were  teachers,  and 
eight  or  ten  children.  At  that  time  we  had  not  a  house  fit  to  live  in  at 
either  of  the  stations,  and  the  best  house  belonging  to  the  Mission  was  a 
year  or  two  after  abandoned.  This  restriction  continued  for  five  years, 
during  which  time  the  number  of  ministers  and  other  laborers  continued 
about  the  same,  and -the  children  increased  to  fourteen.  In  these  five  years 
the  whole  amount  of  money  drawn  by  the  Mission  from  the  treasury  of 
the  Board,  as  shown  by  the  annual  reports,  including  four  hundred  dol- 
lars a  year,  or  two  thousand  dollai's  in  all,  paid  by  the  United  States  gov- 
ernment on  account  of  the  schools  taught  by  the  assistant  missionaries, 
was  only  four  thousand,  six  hundred  and  fifty-five  dollars  and  thirty-seven 
cents^ess  than  one  thousand  a  year  for  the  furnishing  of  food,  clothing 
and  shelter,  including  also  travelmg  expenses,  the  publication  of  books 
for  the  schools,  as  well  as  books  for  our  own  use  and  contingent  expenses, 
for  from  twenty  to  twenty -four  persons,  besides  several  Indian  children 
that  were  kept  in  our  families  during  a  part  of  the  time. 

During  the  whole  of  this  five  years,  a  majority  of  these  persons  had 
their  home  at  Lac  qui  Parle,  where  food  and  clothing  were  dearer  than  at 
any  place  m  the  United  States,  and  as  dear  as  at  any  station  sustained 
by  the  American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  in  any  part  of 'tiie  whole 
world. 

We  had  no  smithshop  nor  post-office  nearer  than  two  hundred  miles, 
and  no  mill  till  we  erected  one  with  our  own  hands.  It  is  true  that  at 
this  time  we  received  considerable  donations  of  clothing  and  some  of  pro- 


378  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL   COLLECTICNS. 

visions  from  friends  in  Ohio,  but  after  paying  several  cents  a  pound  for 
freight  and  charges  on  those  as  well  as  all  our  other  supplies,  we  had  to 
haul  them  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  miles  over  a  prairie  where  no  men 
dwelt,  and  which,  on  various  occasions  we  traversed  alone  without  seeing 
a  human  being,  or  a  quadmped  except  our  team.  In  these  journeys  in 
which,  for  the  sake  of  taking  home  a  little  more  of  such  things  as  we 
needed,  or  getting  home  a  little  sooner,  we  mostly  walked  to  drive  our 
team  by  day,  often  wading  through  bogs,  in  which  occasionally  we  be- 
came mired  so  that  it  was  necessary  to  unhitch,  and  taking  out  our  load 
from  the  wagon,  carry  it  through  the  swamp  on  our  shoulders. 

These  labors  by  day,  with  watching  our  team  and  fighting  the  mos- 
quitoes by  night,  caused  such  lassitude  and  exhaustion  of  the  physical 
powers,  that  on  various  occasions,  for  a  week  after  getting  home  from  one 
these  tnps,  we  were  unfit  for  any  labor,  bodily  or  mental." 

These  were  dark,  discouraging  years,  very  trying  to  the 
native  church  members,  as  well  as  missionaries.  It  is  not 
strange  that  when  in  1846,  Dr.  Williamson  received  an  invi- 
tation, through  the  agent  at  Fort  Snelling,  to  establish  a 
mission  at  Little  Crow's  village,  a  few  miles  below  where  St. 
Paul  has  grown  up,  he  at  once  accepted  it,  gathering  from  it 
that  the  Lord  had  a  work  for  him  to  do  there.  And  indeed 
He  had.  During  the  five  or  six  years  he  remained  there,  a 
small  Dakota  church  was  gathered,  and  an  opportunity  was 
afforded  him  to  exert  a  positive  Christian  influence  on  the 
white  people  then  gathering  into  the  capital  of  Minnesota. 
He  preached  the  first  sermon  there. 

When,  after  the  treaty  of  1851,  the  Indians  of  the  Missis- 
sippi and  lower  Minnesota  were  removed.  Dr.  Williamson 
removed  with  them,  or,  rather,  he  went  before  them,  and 
commenced  his  last  station  at  Pay-zhe-hoo-ta-zee  (the  Yellow 
Medicine).  There  he  and  his  family  had  further  opportunity 
to  "glory  in  tribulations."  The  first  winter  was  one  of  un- 
usual severity,  and  they  came  near  starving.  But  here  the 
Lord  blessed  them  and  permitted  them  to  see  a  native  church 
grow  up,  as  well  as  at  Hazlewood,  the  other  mission  station 
near  by.  It  was  during  the  next  ten  years  that  the  seeds  of 
civilization  and  Christianity  took  root,  and  grew  into  a  fruit- 
age, which  in  some  good  manner  sustained  the  storm  of  the 
outbreak  in  1862,  and  resulted  in  a  great  harvest  afterwards. 

Twenty-seven  years  of  labor  among  the  Dakotas  were  past. 


MEMOIE   OF  REV.   T.   S.   WILLIAMSOIS'.  379 

The  results  had  been  encouraging,  gratifying.  Dr.  William- 
soil's  oldest  son,  Rev.  John  P.  Williamson-,  born  in  the  mis- 
sionary kingdom,  had  recently  come  from  Lane  Seminary, 
and  joined  our  missionary  forces.  But  suddenly  our  work 
seemed  to  be  dashed  into  pieces.  The  whirlwind  of  the  out- 
break swept  over  our  mission.  Our  houses  and  churches  were 
burned  with  fire.  The  members  of  our  native  churches; 
where  were  they  ?  Would  there  ever  be  a  gathering  again  ? 
It  required  just  such  a  physical  and  moral  revolution  as  that 
to  break  the  bonds  of  heathenism  in  which  these  Dakotas 
were.  It  seems  also  to  have  required  the  manifest  endurance 
of  privations  and  the  unselfish  devotion  of  Dr.  Williamsoij 
and  others  to  them  in  this  time  of  trouble,  to  fully  satisfy 
their  suspicious  hearts  that  we  did  not  seek  theirs^  but  them. 
The  winter  of  1862-3,  Dr.  Williamson  having  located  his 
family  at  St.  Peter,  usually  walked  up  every  Saturday  to 
Mankato,  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  400  Dakota  men  in 
prison.  "  That,""  said  a  young  man,  "satisfied  us  that  you 
were  really  our  friends."  Sometimes  it  seems  strange  that  it 
required  so  much  to  convince  them. 

History  scarcely  furnishes  a  more  remarkable  instance  of 
divine  power  on  human  hearts,  than  was  witnessed  in  that 
prison.  On  the  first  day  of  February,  1863,  Rev.  Gideon  H. 
Pond  was  standing  with  Dr.  Williamson,  when  they  "  bap- 
tized into  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  three  hundred  in  a  day^ 

Ever  since  the  outbreak,  Dr.  Williamson  had  had  a  home 
for  his  family  in  the  town  of  St.  Peter  and  its  vicinity.  For 
two  years  of  the  three  in  which  the  condemned  Dakotas  were 
imprisoned  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  he  gave  his  time  and  strength 
chiefly  to  ministering  to  their  spiritual  needs.  Education 
never  progressed  more  rapidly  among  them  than  during  these 
years.  They  almost  all  learned  to  read  and  write  their  own 
language.  They  spent  much  of  their  time  in  singing  hymns 
of  praise,  in  prayer,  and  reading  the  Bible.  They  were  enrolled 
in  classes,  and  each  class  was  placed  under  the  special  super- 
vision of  an  elder.  This  gave  them  something  like  a  Meth- 
odist organization;  but  it  was  found  essential  to  a  proper 
watch  and  care.  43 


380  MINl^SOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIOKS. 

This  experience  in  the  prison  and  elsewhere,  made  it  more 
and  more  manifest  that  to  carry  forward  the  work  of  evange- 
lization among  this  people,  we  must  make  large  use  of  our 
native  talent.  Our  first  licentiate  was  John  Baptiste  Ren"- 
viLLE,  the  youngest  son  of  the  Joseph  Ren"ville  under  whose 
auspices  the  mission  had  been  commenced  at  Lac  qui  Parle. 
In  the  spring  of  1865,  the  Dakota  Presbytery,  which  was  the 
first  organization  within  the  bounds  of  Minnesota,  held  its 
meeting  in  the  town  of  Mankato.  Dr.  Williamson"  preached 
the  opening  sermon  on  "  Our  Christian  Duty  to  the  Inferior 
Races,  the  African  and  the  Indian.""  The  doctrines  he  ad- 
vanced, and  the  statements  he  made,  were  not  popular  then 
and  there.  But  probably  no  disturbance  would  have  been 
made,  if  hostile  Sioux  had  not  been  in  the  neighborhood  and 
killed  the  Jewett  family.  This  was  unknown  to  us  till  the 
next  day.  But  the  unreasoning  populace  said  it  was  because 
Dr.  Williamson  had  come  to  town  and  preached  that  sermon. 
And  so  while  we  were  examining  Johk  B.  Rekville,  the 
chief  men  of  the  town  came  in  and  demanded  the  retirement 
of  the  Doctor. 

Probably  no  white  man  ever  doubted  that  Dr.  Williamson 
was  the  honest  and  hearty  friend  of  the  Indian.  With  a  class  of 
men  it  was  the  head  and  front  of  his  offending,  that,  in  their 
judgment,  he  could  see  only  one  side,  that  he  was  always  the 
apologist  of  the  red  man,  that  in  the  massacre  of  the  border 
in  1862,  when  others  believed  and  asserted  that  a  thousand  or 
fifteen  hundred  whites  were  killed.  Dr.  Williamson  could 
only  count  three  or  four  hundred.  He  was  honest  in  his  be- 
liefs, and  honest  in  his  apologies.  He  felt  that  necessity  was 
laid  UT)on  him  to  "open-his  mouth  for  the  dumb.""  They  could 
not  defend  themselves;  they  have  had  very  few  defenders 
among  white  people. 

In  the  summer  of  1866,  after  the  release  of  the  Dakota 
prisoners  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  Dr.  Williamson  and  I  took 
with  us  Rev.  John  B.  Renville,  and  journeyed  up  through 
Minnesota  and  across  through  Dakota  to  the  Missouri  river, 
and  into  the  eastern  corner  of  Nebraska.  On  our  way  we 
spent  some  time  at  the  head  of  the  Coteau,  preaching  and  ad- 
ministering the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel  to  our  old  church 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.   T.   S.  WILLIAMSON".  381 

members,  and  gathering  in  amultitudeof  new  converts,  which 
we  organized  into  churches,  ordaining  elders  over  them,  and 
licensing  two   of  the  best    qualified  to  preach  the  Gospel. 
When  we  reached  the  Niobrara,  we  found  the  Christians  of 
the  prison  at  Davenport  and  the  Christians  of  the  Camp  at 
Crow  Creek,  now  united,  and  they  desired  to  be  consolidated 
into  one  church,  of  more  than  4pO  members.     We  helped 
them  to  select  their  religious  teachers,  which  they  did  from 
the  men  who  had  been  in  prison.     So  mightily  has  the  Word 
of  God  prevailed  among  them,  that  almost  the  entire  com- 
munity professed  to  be  Christians.    For  four  consecutive  sum- 
mers, it  was  our  privilege  to  travel  together  in  this  work  of 
visiting  and  reconstructing  these  Dakota  Christian  communi- 
ties.   We  also  extended  our  visits  to  the  villages  of  wild  Tee- 
tons  along  the  Missouri  river.     Dr.  WiLLiAMSOif  claimed  that 
the  Indians  must  be  more  honest  than  white  men;  for  he 
always  took  with  him  an  old  trunk  without  a  lock,  and  in  all 
their  journeys  he  had  not  lost  from  a  thread  to  a  shoestring. 
For  nearly  thirty-six  years,  Dr.  Williamsoi?-  was  a  mission- 
ary of  the  American  Board.    But  after  the  union  of  the  As- 
semblies and  the  transfer  of  the  funds  contributed  by  the 
New  School  supporters  of  that  Board  to  the  Presbyterian 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  the  question  of  a  change  of  our 
relations  was  thoughtfully  considered  and  fully  discussed.  The 
Doctor  was  too  strong  a  Presbyterian  not  to  have  decided 
convictions  on  that  matter.    But  there  were,  as  we  considered 
it,  substantial  reasons  why  we  could  not  go  over  as  an  entire 
mission.    And  so  we  agreed  to  divide.  Dr.  Williamsoi^  and 
his  son.  Rev.  John  P.  Williamson",  transferring  themselves 
to  the  Presbyterian  Board,   while  my  boys  and  myself  re- 
mained as  we  were.     The  division  made  no  disturbance  in 
our  mutual  confidence,  and  no  change  in  the  methods  of  our 
common  work.     Rather  have  the  bonds  of  our  union  been 
drawn  more  closely  together,  during  the  past  eight  years,   by 
an  annual  conference  of  all  our  Dakota  pastors  and  elders  and 
Sabbath  school  workers.     This  has  gathered  and  again  dis- 
tributed the  enthusiasm  of  the  churches;  and  has  become  the 
director  of  the  native  missionary  forces.     With  one  exception 


382  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

Dr.  Williamson  has  been  able  to  attend  all  these  annual  con- 
vocations, and  has  added  very  much  to  their  interest. 

His  great  life  work,  that  of  translating  the  Bible  into  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Sioux  nation,  was  continued  through  more  than 
two  score  years,  and  was  only  completed  last  Autumn.  In 
this,  as  in  most  things,  he  worked  slowly  and  carefully.  He 
commenced  with  Genesis,  as  has  been  already  stcited,  and 
worked  onwards.  The  exception  to  this  was  that,  many  years 
ago,  he  made  a  translation  of  the  book  of  Proverbs.  But  he 
closed  his  work  with  the  books  of  Chronicles.  He  lived  to 
read  the  plate  proofs  of  all,  and  to  realize  that  the  entire 
Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  were  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Dakotas,  though  he  did  not  live  to  see  the  book 
complete. 

While  the  Synod  of  Minnesota  was  holding  its  session  in 
St.  Paul,  in  October,  1877,  Dr.  Williamson  was  lying  at  the 
point  of  death,  as  was  supposed,  with  pneumonia.  Farewell 
words  passed  between  him  and  the  Synod.  But  his  work  was 
not  then  done,  and  the  Lord  raised  him  up  to  complete  it. 
Now  when  the  Bible  was  finished,  there  seemed  to  be  no  fur- 
ther object  that  he  should  live  for,  and  he  declined  almost 
from  that  day  onward. 

On  my  way  up  to  the  land  of  the  Dakotas,  in  the  middle 
of  May,  I  stopped  over  a  day  with  my  old  friend.  He  was 
very  feeble,  but  still  able  to  walk  out  and  sit  up  a  good  part 
of  the  day.    Of  this  visit  I  made  this  memorandum  : 

"He  is  now  in  his  eightieth  year,  and  is  really  quite  feeble.  He  has 
been  hoping  that  as  the  warm  weather  comes  on,  he  may  rally  as  he  has 
done  in  former  years.  But  his  feeling  seemed  to  be  that  as  the  great 
work  of  giving  the  Bible  to  the  Dakotas  was  completed,  there  was  not 
much  left  for  liim  to  do  here.  He  remarked  that  he  had  during  the  last 
forty-four  years,  built  several  houses;  one  at  Lac  qui  Parle,  one  at  Kapo- 
sia,  one  at  Yellow  Medicine,  and  one  near  St.  Peter.  The  two  on  the 
upper  Minnesota  had  fallen  to  pieces  or  been  destroyed,  and  the  others 
were  looking  old,  and  would  not  remain  long  after  he  was  gone.  But 
the  buildmg  up  of  human  souls  that  he  had  been  permitted  to  work  for, 
and  which,  by  the  grace  of  God,  he  had  seen  coming  up  into  new  Kfe, 
through  the  influence  of  the  word  and  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  he 
confidently  believed  would  remain. 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.   T.   S.   WILLIAMSON.  383 

When  I  reported  to  his  Dakota  friends  the  near  prospect  of  his  dissolution 
there  arose  in  all  the  churches  a  great  prmjer-cry  for  his  recovery.  This 
was  reported  to  him,  but  he  sent  back,  by  the  hand  of  his  son  Andrew, 
this  message  :  *'Tell  the  Indians  that  father  thanks  them  very  much  for 
their  prayers,  and  hopes  they  will  be  blessed  both  to  his  good  and  theurs. 
But  he  does  not  wish  them  to  pray  that  his  life  here  may  be  prolonged, 
for  he  longs  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ." 

And  so  his  longing  was  answered.  He  died  on  Tuesday, 
June  24, 1879,  at  2  a.  m. 

On  the  further  shore  he  has  joined  the  multitude  that  have 
gone  before.  Of  his  own  family,  there  are  the  three  who  went 
in  infancy.  Next,  Smith  Burgess,  a  manly  Christian  boy, 
was  taken  away  very  suddenly.  Then  Lizzie  Hunter  went 
in  the  prime  of  womanhood.  The  mother  followed,  a  woman 
of  a  quiet  and  a  beautiful  life.  And  the  sainted  Naj^kie 
went  up  to  put  on  white  robes.  Besides  these  of  his  family, 
a  multitude  of  Dakotas  are  there  who  will  call  him  father.  I 
think  they  have  gathered  around  him  and  sung,  under  the 
trees  by  the  river,  one  of  his  Dakota  hymns : 

Jehowa  Mayooha,  nimayakiye, 

Nitowashte  iwadowan. 
Jehovah,  my  Lord,  Thou  hast  saved  me, 

I  sing  of  Thy  goodness. 

Of  his  last  days  on  earth,  John  P.  Williamson  writes 
thus :  "Father  seemed  to  be  tired  out  in  body  and  mind, 
with  as  much  disinclination  to  talk  as  to  move,  and  appar- 
ently as  much  from  the  labor  of  collecting  his  mind,  as  the 
difficulty  of  articulation.  We  had  thought  that  perhaps  at 
the  last,  when  the  bodily  pains  ceased,  there  might  be  a  little 
lingering  sunshine  from  the  inner  man ;  but  such  was  not  the 
case;  and  perhaps  it  was  most  fitting  that  he  should  die  as 
he  lived,  with  no  exalted  imagery  of  the  future,  but  a  stern 
faith  which  gives  hope  and  peace  in  the  deepest  waters."  My 
life-long  friend — my  fellow- worker  in  the  Gospel  of  Jesus 
among  the  Dakotas — he  needs  no  eulogy  from  nie  !  His 
works  do  follow  him  ! 


MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 


IL   FROM   A    MEMOIR   IN   THE  EERALD   AND   PRESBYTER,  JULY, 
1879.    WRITTEN  BY  HIS  SON,  A.  W.  WILLIAMSON. 

From  3864:  to  his  death,  he  made  his  home  at  St.  Peter, 
superintending  the  work  of  native  laborers  by  means  of  very 
extensive  correspondence,  and  by  missionary  tours  occupying 
the  greater  part  of  his  summers;  and  in  conjunction  with  Dr. 
RiGGS,  revising  and  completing  a  very  careful  translation  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures  into  the  Dakota.  He  finished  revising 
the  last  proofs  about  three  months  before  his  death.  So  long 
as  he  was  able  to  sit  up,  which  was  to  within  about  three 
weeks  of  his  death,  he  continued  to  keep  up  his  work  by  cor- 
respondence, spending  the  remainder  of  his  time  on  an  article 
proving  by  their  tradition,  mythology,  and  especially  from 
their  language,  that  the  Dakotas  originally  came  from  Europe, 
and  that  it  is  probable  that  the  Poncas,  Omahas,  Mandans, 
and  some  other  tribes  kindred  by  language  to  the  Dakotas, 
were  the  mound  builders  of  the  Ohio  Valley.^  He  suffered 
much  for  several  months  before  his  death,  but  bore  it  with 
patient  resignation,  only  asking  of  his  friends  that  they 
should  not  pray  that  he  might  be  detained  longer  from  going 
to  be  with  Jesus. 

Never  brilliant,  he  was  yet,  by  his  capacity  for  long-con- 
tinued, severe  exertion,  and  by  systematic,  persevering  in- 
dustry, enabled  to  accomplish  an  almost  incredible  amount  of 
labor.  Needing  a  knowledge  of  French  as  a  stepping-stone 
to  a  knowledge  of  Dakota,  he  studied  it  diligently  during 
his  tedious  trip  out,  and  while  driving  his  team  over  the 
prairie  for  supplies,  and  learned  it  so  thoroughly  that  ever 
after,  he  was  able  to  read  French  as  readily  as  English.  He 
professed  equal  facility  in  Latin,  in  Attic  and  New  Testament 
Greek,  and  in  the  Hebrew  Scriptures.  In  all  his  works  he 
was  distinguished  by  conscientious  thoroughness.  Often 
would  he  study  many  hours  with  the  aid  of  the  best  help  he 

1.  His  last  visit  to  the  rooms  of  the  Historical  Society,  but  a  few  weeks  prior 
to  his  death,  was  to  consult  authorities  regarding  this  question,  and  he  labored 
diligently  on  it  several  hours  each  day  while  in  the  city,  though  suffering  much 
bodily  pain  at  the  time.  W. 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.   T.   S.   WILLIAMSON".  385 

could  secure,  both  Englisli  and  Latin,  to  settle  in  his  mind 
the  exact  force  of  a  Hebrew  or  Greek  expression  before  at- 
tempting to  render  it  into  Dakota. 

,  In  his  family  he  was  a  kind  and  affectionate  husband  and 
father,  not  permitting  any  pressure  of  other  duties  to  cause 
him  to  neglect  the  training  of  his  children.  All  of  his  sons 
graduated  from  college  with  honorable  standing,  one  becom- 
ing a  foreign  missionary,  one  a  teacher,  one  a  lawyer.  He 
was  not  at  all  eloquent  in  speech,  yet  thorough  knowledge  of 
God's  word,  practical  good  sense,  and  his  lucid  explanations, 
gave  him  considerable  power  in  the  pulpit;  but  his  chief 
power  as  a  messenger  of  God  lay  in  his  example,  in  his  mak- 
ing himself  a  true,  devoted  and  trusted  friend  for  those  for 
whom  he  labored,  and  in  a  Christian  conversation  which 
often  seemed  as  if  dictated  by  God's  spirit. 

In  his  last  days  his  mind  as  well  as  his  body,  was  weak  and 
weary. 


THE  INK-PA-DU-TA  MASSACRE  OF  1857. 


A  PAPER  READ  BEFORE  THE  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL 

SOCIETY,  DECEMBER  8,   1879. 


BY  HON".   CHARLES  E.  FLANDRAU. 


At  the  request  of  the  •  Historical  Society  I  have  prepared 
the  following  account  of  the  massacre  which  took  place  at 
and  about  Spirit  Lake,  in  the  year  1857,  which  has  been 
known  generally  as  the  Ink-pa-du-ta  war.  I  now  submit  the 
same  for  your  consideration,  and  if  approved,  to  become  one 
of  the  records  of  your  society. 

Prior  to  1842,  the  Sac  and  Fox  tribes  of  Indians  occupied 
the  country  which  is  now  the  State  of  Iowa.  On  the  11th 
day  of  October,  1842,  these  Indians  made  a  treaty  with  the 
United  States  government,  by  which  they  sold  all  the  lands 
west  of  the  Mississippi  river,  to  which  they  had  any  claim  or 
title,  or  in  which  they  had  any  interest  whatever,  reserving 
the  right  of  occupancy  for  three  years  from  the  date  of  the 
treaty,  to  all  that  part  of  the  land  ceded,  which  lies  west  of  a 
line  running  due  north  and  south  from  the  painted  or  red 
rocks  on  the  White  Breast  fork  of  the  Des  Moines  river, 
which  rocks  were  situated  eight  miles  from  the  junction  of 
the  White  Breast  with  the  Des  Moines. 

The  country  north  of  Iowa  and  west  of  the  Mississippi  river 
as  far  as  the  Little  Rapids  on  the  Minnesota  river,  was  occu- 


THE   INK-PA-DU-TA  MASSACRE  OF   1857.  387 

pied  by  the  M'-de-wa-kan-toiis  and  Wak-pe-ku-te  bands  of 
Sioux  Indians.  These  latter  Indians  were  at  war  with  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes.  The  Wak-pe-ku-te  band  were  under  the 
leadership  of  two  principal  chiefs,  named  Wam-di-sapa 
[Black  EagleJ  and  Ta-sa-gi,  The  lawless  and  predatory- 
habits  of  Wam-disapa  and  his  band,  prolonged  the  war  with 
the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  and  to  a  great  extent  created  difficulties 
between  the  band  of  Wam-di-sapa  and  the  rest  of  the  Wak- 
pe-ku-te,  which  troubles  gradually  separated  his  band  from 
them.  Wam-di-sapa  and  his  people  moved  to  the  west  to- 
ward the  Missouri,  and  occupied  the  lands  about  the  Vermil- 
lion river,  and  so  thoroughly  was  he  separated  from  the  rest 
of  the  Wak-pe-ku-te,that  when  the  last  named  Indians,  togeth- 
er with  the  M'de-wa-kan-tons,  made  their  treaty  at  Mendota 
in  1851,  by  which  they  ceded  the  lands  in  Minnesota  owned 
by  them,  the  remnant  of  Wam-di-sapa'' s  people  was  not 
regarded  as  being  a  part  of  the  Wakpe-kute  at  all,  and  took 
no  part  in  the  treaty. 

By  1857  all  that  remained  of  Wam-di-sapa' s  straggling 
band,  was  about  ten  or  fifteen  lodges  under  the  chieftainship 
of  Ink-pa-du-ta  or  the  Scarlet  Point,  sometimes  called  the 
Red  End.  They  had  planted  in  the  neighborhood  of  Spirit 
Lake  prior  to  1857,  and  ranged  the  country  from  there  to  the 
Missouri,  and  were  considered  a  bad  lot  of  vagabonds. 

Between  1855  and  1857  a  few  settlers  had  located  on  a 
small  stream  which  has  its  source  in  Minnesota  west  of  Spirit 
Lake,  and  flows  to  the  south,  which  was  known  at  that 
time  as  In-yan-yan-ke  or  Rock  River.  This  settlement  was 
about  forty  miles  south  of  Spirit  Lake,  in  Iowa. 

In  the  spring  of  1856  Hon.  William  Freeborn,  of  Red 
Wing,  (after  whom  the  county  of  Freeborn,  in  this  state,  is 
named)  projected  a  settlement  at  Spirit  Lake,  which  by  the 
next  spring  had  attained  the  number  of  six  or  seven  houses, 
with  as  many  families. 

About  the  same  time  another  settlement  was  started  about 
ten  or  fifteen  miles  north  of  Spirit  Lake,  on  the  head  waters 
of  the  Des  Moines,  where  a  town  was  laid  out  and  called 
Springfield.  The  principal  party  in  the  Springfield  settle- 
ment was  a  Mr.  William  Wood,  of  Mankato,  who    went 


388  MINN"ESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

there  to  live,  and  who  opened  a  trading  house.  In  the  spring 
of  1857  there  were  two  stores  and  several  families  at  Spring- 
field. 

These  settlements  were  on  the  extreme  frontier,  and  very 
much  isolated.  There  was  nothing  to  the  west  of  them,  and 
the  nearest  settlements  on  the  north  and  northeast  were  on 
the  Minnesota  and  Watonwan  rivers,  while  the  small  settle- 
ment on  the  Rock  river  above  mentioned,  about  forty  miles 
south,  was  the  nearest  neighbor  in  that  direction.  All  these 
settlements,  although  on  ceded  lands,  were  really  in  the  very 
heart  of  the  Indian  country,  and  absolutely  unprotected  and 
defenseless. 

In  August,  1856, 1  had  received  the  appointment  of  United 
States  Indian  agent  for  the  Sioux  of  the  Mississippi,  the 
agencies  of  which  Indians  were  on  the  Minnesota  river,  at 
Red  Wood,  and  on  the  Yellow  Medicine  river,  a  few  miles 
from  its  mouth;  but  having  been  on  the  frontier  for  some 
time  previous  to  such  appointment,  I  had  become  quite 
familiar  with  the  Sioux,  and  knew  in  a  general  way  of  Inh- 
jpa-du-ta's  band,  its  habits  and  whereabouts.  In  1854  and 
1856  they  came  to  the  payments  and  demanded  a  share  of  the 
money  of  the  Wak-pe-ku-te  band,  and  made  a  good  deal  of 
trouble,  but  were  forced  to  return  to  their  haunts  on  the  Big 
Sioux  and  in  the  adjoining  country,  without  accomplishing 
their  purpose. 

Early  in  March,  1857,  these  Indians  were  hunting  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  settlement  on  Rock  river,  and  one  of 
them  was  bitten  by  a  dog  belonging  to  a  white  man.  The 
Indian  killed  the  dog.  The  owner  of  the  dog  assaulted  the 
Indian,  and  beat  him  severely.  The  white  men  then  went  in 
a  body  to  the  camp  of  the  Indians,  and  disarmed  them.  The 
arms  were  either  returned  to  them^  or  they  obtained  others, 
which,  I  never  could  with  certainty  discover.  They  may  have 
been  given  back  to  them  on  condition  that  they  would  leave, 
which  theory  seems  very  probable,  as  they  immediately  came 
north  toward  Spirit  Lake.  They  must  have  arrived  at  the 
Spirit  Lake  settlement  about  the  6th  or  7th  ot  March.  They 
proceeded  at  once  to  massacre  the  settlers,  and  succeeded  in 
killing  all  the  men  they  found  there,  together  with  some 


THE  INK-PA-DU-TA  MASSACRE  OF  1857.  389 

women,  and  carrying  off  four  women,  three  of  whom  were 
married  and  one  single.  Their  names  were:  Mrs.  Noble, 
Mrs.  Thatcher,  Mrs.  Marble  and  Miss  Gardner.  They 
then  came  on  north  to  the  Springfield  settlement,  where  they 
killed  every  body  they  found,  including  Mr.  William  Wood. 
I  regret  very  much  that  I  did  not  obtain  from  Mrs.  Marble 
or  Miss  Gardjs^er,  whom  we  afterwards  rescued,  the  names 
of  the  victims,  as  I  fear  that  no  record  was  ever  made  of 
them.  I  learned  at  the  time,  and  so  reported  to  the  govern- 
ment and  newspapers,  that  the  number  killed  was  about 
twent}'',  as  near  as  could  be  ascertained;  but  more  accurate 
information  subsequently  obtained,  increased  the  number  to 
forty-two,  which  latter  number,  I  am  sure  is  very  near  the 
truth. 

The  first  information  received  of  this  terrible  affair  was 
through  the  efforts  of  a  Mr.  Morris  Markh  am,  who  had  been 
living  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Gardner,  at  Spirit  Lake,  previous 
to  the  massacre.  He  returned  from  an  absence  of  some  time 
in  Iowa,  on  the  9th  of  March  and  proceeded  to  his  former 
home.  He  found  the  house  sacked  and  three  dead  bodies 
lying  in  it.  He  then  visited  two  other  houses  and  found  them 
deserted  and  plundered.  He  then  secreted  himself  until  night, 
when  he  went  to  a  fourth  house,  and  saw  six  or  eight  lodges 
of  Indians  encamped  near  it.  Taking  it  for  granted  that 
these  Indians  had  done  the  mischief,  he  went  at  once  to 
Springfield  and  reported  what  he  had  seen.  Had  not  this 
news  reached  Springfield  before  the  arrival  of  the  Indians, 
the  result  would  have  been  more  disastrous  than  it  was.  Some 
of  the  people  fled,  but  Mr.  Wood  and  others  remained,  and 
lost  their  lives  in  consequence.  It  has  always  been  my  opin- 
ion that,  being  in  the  habit  of  trading  with  these  Indians 
occasionally,  they  did  not  believe  that  they  stood  in  any  dan- 
ger; and  what  is  equally  probable,  they  may  not  have  be- 
lieved the  report;  every  one  who  has  lived  in  an  Indian  coun- 
try knows  how  frequently  startling  rumors  are  in  circulation, 
and  how  often  they  prove  unfounded. 

At  any  rate,  the  people  at  Springfield  sent  two  young  men 
to  my  Agency  with  the  news.  They  brought  with  them  a 
statement  of  the  facts  as  related  by  Mr.  Markham,  signed  by 


390  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

some  persons  with  whom  I  was  acquainted.  They  came  on 
foot,  and  arrived  at  the  Agency  on  the  18.th  of  March.  The 
snow  was  very  deep,  and  was  beginning  to  thaw;  which  made 
the  traveling  extremely  difficult.  When  these  young  men 
arrived,  they  were  so  badly  affected  with  snow  blindness  that 
they  could  scarcely  see  at  all,  and  were  completely  wearied  out. 
I  was  fully  satisfied  of  the  truth  of  the  report  that  murders 
had  been  committed,  although  the  details  were,  of  course,  very 
meagre.  I  at  once  held  a  consultation  with  Colonel  Alex- 
ander, commanding  the  Tenth  United  States  Infantry,  five 
or  six  companies  of  which  were  at  Fort  Ridgely.  The  Colo- 
nel, with  commendable  promptness,  ordered  Capt.  Barnard 
E.  Bee  to  proceed  at  once  to  the  scene  of  the  massacre,  with 
his  company,  and  to  do  all  he  could,  either  in  the  way  of  pro- 
tecting the  settlers  or  punishing  the  enemy. 

The  country  between  the  Minnesota  river,  at  Ridgely,  and 
Spirit  Lake,  was  at  that  day  an  utter  wilderness,  without  an 
inhabitant.  In  fact,  none  of  us  knew  where  Spirit  Lake  was, 
except  that  it  lay  about  due  south  of  the  fort,  at  a  distance  of 
from  eighty  to  one  hundred  miles. 

We  procured  two  guides  of  experience  from  among  our 
Sioux  half-breeds,  Joseph  Coursolle,  more  generally  known 
as  Joe  Gaboo,  and  Joseph  Lapramboise.  These  men  took  a 
pony  and  a  light  train,  to  carry  their  blankets  and  provisions, 
pat  on  their  snow  shoes,  and  were  ready  to  go  anywhere, 
while  the  poor  troops,  with  their  leather  shoes  and  their  back- 
loads,  accompanied  by  a  ponderous  army  wagon  on  wheels, 
drawn  by  six  mules,  were  about  as  fit  for  such  a  march  as  an 
elephant  is  for  a  ball  room;  but  it  was  the  best  the  Govern- 
ment had,  and  they  entered  upon  the  arduous  duty  bravely 
and  cheerfully.  I  had  a  light  sleigh  and  a  fine  team,  with  my 
outfit  aboard,  with  a  French  Canadian  voyageurfor  a  driver, 
and  old  Philander  Prescott  for  my  interpreter;  being  well 
outfitted  for  the  occasion,  as  I  always  took  good  care  to  be 
when  on  Indian  duty  in  the  winter  time. 

We  started  on  the  19th  day  of  March,  at  about  1  p.  m.,  at 
first  intending  to  go  directly  across  the  country,  but  we  soon 
decided  that  course  to  be  utterly  impossible,  as  the  mules 
could  not  draw  the  wagon  through  the  deep  snow.    It  became 


THE  INK-PA-DU-TA  MASSACRE  OF  1857.  391 

apparent  that  our  only  hope  of  reaching  the  lake  was  to  fol- 
low the  road  down  by  the  way  of  New  Ulm  to  Mankato,  and 
trust  to  luck  for  a  road  up  the  Watonwan  in  the  direction  of 
the  lake;  we  having  learned  that  some  teams  had  recently 
started  for  that  point  with  supplies.  The  first  day's  march 
was  appalling.  The  men  were  wet  nearly  up  to  their  waists 
with  the  deep  and  melting  snow,  and  utterly  weary  before 
they  had  gone  ten  miles.  Captain  Bee  was  a  South  Caroli- 
nian, and  though  a  veteran,  had  seen  most  of  his  service  in 
Mexico  and  the  south.  Mr.  Murray,  his  lieutenant,  was  a 
gallant  young  fellow,  but  had  not  seen  much  service.  Neither 
of  them  had  ever  made  a  snow  camp  before;  and  when  we  had 
dug  out  a  place  for  our  first  camp,  and  were  making  futile 
attempts  to  dry  our  clothes  before  turning  in  for  the  night,  I 
felt  that  the  trip  was  hopeless.  So  much  time  had  elapsed 
since  the  murders  were  committed,  and  so  much  more  would 
necessarily  be  consumed  before  the  troops  could  possibly  reach 
the  lake,  that  I  felt  assured  that  no  good  could  result  from 
going  on,  so  I  said  to  Captain  Bee,  that  if  he  wanted  to  return,  I 
would  furnish  him  with  a  written  opinion  of  two  of  the  most 
experienced  voyageurs  on  the  frontier,  that  the  march  was 
impossible  of  accomplishment,  with  the  inappropriate  outfit 
with  which  the  troops  were  furnished.  It  was  then  that  the 
stern  sense  of  duty  which  animates  the  true  soldier,  exhibited 
itself  in  these  officers.  The  Captain  agreed  with  me  that  the 
chances  of  accomplishing  any  good  by  going  on  were  verj^ 
small,  but  he  read  his  orders,  and  said,  in  answer  to  my  sug- 
gestion, ''  My  orders  are  to  go  to  Spirit  Lake,  and  to  do  what 
I  can.  It  is  not  for  me  to  interpret  my  orders,  but  to  obej^ 
them.  I  shall  go  on  until  it  becomes  physically  impossible 
to  proceed  further.  It  will  then  be  time  to  turn  back."  And 
go  on  he  did.  We  followed  the  trail  up  the  Watonwan,  until 
we  found  the  teams  that  had  made  it,  stuck  in  a  snow  dri^t; 
and  for  the  remaining  forty  or  fifty  miles,  the  troops  marched 
ahead  of  the  mules,  and  broke  a  road  for  them;  relieving  the 
front  rank  every  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes. 

When  the  lake  was  reached,  the  Indians  were  sjone.  A 
careful  examination  was  made  of  their  camps  and  fires  by  the 
guides,  who  pronounced  them  three  or  four  days  old.    Their 


392  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

trail  led  to  the  west.  A  pursuit  was  made  by  a  portion  of  the 
command,  partly  mounted  on  the  mules,  and  partly  on  foot; 
but  it  was  soon  abandoned,  on  the  declaration  of  the  guides 
that  the  Indians  were,  by  the  signs,  several  days  in  advance. 
The  dead  were  buried,  a  guard  was  established  under  Lieu  t 
Murray  with  twenty-four  men,  and  Capt.  Bee,  with  the  bal- 
ance, returned  to  the  fort. 

I  learned  afterwards  from  Mrs.  Marble,  one  of  the  rescued 
women,  that  the  troops  in  the  pursuit  came  so  near,  that  the 
Indians  saw  them,  and  made  an  ambush  for  them,  and  had 
they  not  turned  back,  the  prisoners  would  all  have  been  mur- 
dered. The  guides  may  have  been  mistaken  in  their  judgment 
of  the  age  of  the  camps  and  fires,  and  may  have  deceived  the 
troops.  I  knew  the  young  men  so  well  that  I  have  never 
accused  them  of  a  betrayal  of  their  trust ;  but  it  was  probably 
best  as  it  was,  in  either  case,  because,  had  the  troops  overtaken 
the  Indians,  the  women  would  all  have  certainly  been  butch- 
ered, and  some  of  the  soldiers  killed.  The  satisfaction  of 
killing  some  of  the  Indians  would  not  have  compensated  for 
this  result. 

Of  course  this  affair  created  great  excitement  throughout 
the  territory.  So  little  was  known  about  the  Indians  who 
had  perpetrated  this  outrage,  that  suspicion  attached  to  the 
whole  Sioux  nation.  In  order  to  allay  the  fears  of  the  people, 
I  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Pioneer  and  Democrat  of  date  of  April 
11th,  1857,  explaining  who  Ink-pa-du-ta  was,  and  what  re- 
lation he  bore  to  the  annuity  Indians,  and  giving  the  facts  of 
the  massacre,  as  nearly  accurate  as  they  were  then  known. 
This  letter  was  published  in  that  paper  on  the  21st  day  of 
April,  1857. 

I  was  engaged  in  devising  plans  for  the  rescue  of  the  cap- 
tives and  the  punishment  of  the  Indians,  in  connection  with 
Colonel  Alexander,  of  the  Tenth  Infantry,  but  had  found  it 
very  difiicult  to  settle  upon  any  course  which  would  not 
endanger  the  safety  of  the  prisoners.  We  knew  that  any 
hostile  demonstration  would  be  sure  to  result  in  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  women,  and  we  were  without  means  to  outfit  an 
expedition  for  their  ransom.  While  we  were  deliberating 
upon  the  best  course  to  pursue,  an  accident  opened  the  way 


THE  INK-PA-DU-TA  MASSACRE  OF  1857.  393 

to  success.  A  party  of  my  Indians  were  hunting  on  the  Big 
Sioux  river,  and  having  learned  that  Ink-pa-du-ta^s  band  was 
camped  at  lake  Chan-pta-ya-tan-ha^  about  thirty  miles  to  the 
west  of  that  river,and  also  being  aware  of  the  fact  that  they  held 
some  white  women  as  prisoners,  two  young  men,  brothers,of  the 
name  of  Ma-kpe-ya-ka-ho-ton  and  Se-ha-ho-ta^  visited  the 
camp,  and  after  much  talk,  they  succeeded  in  purchasing 
Mrs.  Marble.  They  paid  for  her  all  they  possessed  in  the 
way  of  guns  and  horses,  and  brought  her  into  the  Yellow 
'  Medicine  Agency,  and  delivered  her  into  the  possession  of  the 
missionaries  stationed  at  that  point,  Rev.  S.  R.  Riggs,  Dr. 
WiLLiAMSoif,  and  their  families.  She  was  at  once  turned  over 
to  me,  with  a  written  statement  from  the  two  brothers  who 
had  brought  her  in,  which  was  prepared  for  them  at  their 
request  by  Mr.  Riggs,  who  spoke  their  language  fluently. 
I  will  allow  them  to  tell  their  own  story.    It  was  as  follows: 

"HoiT.  C.  E.  Flandrau — Father:  In  our  spring  hunt, 
when  encamped  at  the  north  end  of  the  Big  Wood  on  the 
Big  Sioux  river,  we  learned  from  some  Indians  who  came  to 
us,  that  we  were  not  far  from  Red  Eitd's  camp.  Of  our  own 
accord,  and  contrary  to  the  advice  of  all  about  us,  we  con- 
cluded to  visit  them,  thinking  that  possibly  we  might  be  able 
to  obtain  one  or  more  of  the  white  women  held  by  them  as 
prisoners.  We  found  them  encamped  at  Chan-pta-ya-tan-ka^ 
a  lake  about  thirty  miles  to  the  west  of  our  own  camp.  We 
were  met  at  some  distance  from  their  lodges,  by  four  men  armed 
with  revolvers,  who  demanded  of  us  our  business.  After 
satisfying  them  that  we  were  not  spies,  and  had  no  evil 
intentions  in  regard  to  them,  we  were  taken  into  Red  End's 
lodge. 

*'The  night  was  spent  in  reciting  their  massacres,  &c.  It  was 
not  until  the  next  morning  that  we  ventured  to  ask  for  one 
the  women.  Much  time  was  spent  in  talking,  and  not  until 
the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  did  we  obtain  their  consent  to 
our  proposition.  We  paid  for  her  all  we  had.  We  brought 
her  to  our  mother's  tent,  clothed  her  as  we  were  able,  and 
fed  her  bountifully  with  the  best  we  had,  ducks  and  corn. 
We  brought  her  to  Lac  qui  Parle,  and  now,  father,  after  hav- 
ing her  with  us  fifteen  days,  we  place  her  in  your  hands. 


394:  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

"It  was  perilous  business,  which  we  think  should  be  liberally 
rewarded.  We  claim  for  our  services  $500  each.  We  do  not 
want  it  in  horses,  they  would  be  killed  by  jealous  young  men. 
We  do  not  wish  it  in  ammunition  and  goods,  these  we  should 
be  obliged  to  divide  with  others.  The  laborer  is  worthy  of 
his  own  reward.  We  want  it  in  money,  which  we  can  make 
more  serviceable  to  ourselves  than  it  could  be  in  any  other 
form.     This  is  what  we  have  to  say. 

"  Mak-pi-ya-ka-ho-ton, 
Se-ha-ho-ta."  " 

"  In  the  above  statement  and  demand  we,  the  undersigned, 
father  of  the  above  young  men,  and  father-in-law  to  one  of 
them,  concur. 

"  Wa-kan-ma-ni. 
non-pa-kin-yan," 
May  21, 1857. 

By  the  action  of  these  young  men,  we  not  only  got  one  of 
the  captives,  but  we  learned  for  the  first  time  definitely,  the 
whereabouts  of  the  marauders,  and  the  assurance  that  the 
other  women  were  still  alive;  as  the  young  men  had  seen 
them  in  Red  End's  camp.  The  woman  brought  in  was  Mrs. 
Marble. 

It  will  be  seen  that  Mrs.  Marble  was  delivered  to  me  on 
the  21st  day  ot  May.  The  Legislature  ot  the  Territory  was  in 
session,  and  the  interest  in  the  fate  of  the  captive  women  was 
very  active  at  the  capital.  Of  course  there  was  no  end  of 
people  who  knew  just  how  to  rescue  them,  and  also  exactly 
how  to  annihilate  the  Indians;  there  always  are  such  people 
on  such  occasions.  Public  sentiment  received  its  expression, 
however,  through  the  Legislature,  which  on  the  15th  day  of 
May  passed  an  act  appropriating  ten  thousand  dollars,  or  so 
much  thereof  as  was  necessary,  out  of  an  empty  treasury,  to 
be  applied  to  the  rescue  of  the  captives.  Fortunately  ihe 
appropriation  was  not  hampered  by  any  conditions,  or  the 
adoption  of  any  of  the  numerous  plans  suggested  to  consume 
it,  but  the  Governor  was  given  carte  blanche  to  do  what  he 
thought  best  with  it. 


THE  ]KK-PA-DU-TA  MASSACRE   OF   1857.  395 

At  the  time  I  received  Mrs.  Marble,  on  the  21st  of  May, 
from  her  deliverers,  I  had  not  heard  of  this  appropriation; 
hut  the  way  seemed  to  me  open  to  rescue  the  remainins:  cap- 
tives. I  at  once  called  for  volunteers  from  among  the  Indians 
to  go  out  and  buy  them,  which  I  knew  was  the  only  way 
they  could  be  obtained  alive.  The  first  difficulty  I  had  to 
overcome,  was  to  satisfy  the  demand  made  by  the  two  brothers 
for  Mrs.  Marble,  as  I  wanted  to  use  them  in  my  proposed 
expedition.  I  had  no  public  funds  that  could  be  devoted  to 
such  purposes,  but  I  had  confidence  in  the  generosity  of  the 
people,  especially  if  I  succeeded-^  and  as  every  moment  might 
be  worth  a  life,  I  determined  to  assume  the  responsibility 
of  anything  that  was  necessary.  I  was  ably  assisted  by  Mr. 
RiGGS  and  Doctor  Williamsoi^,  both  in  the  excellent  advice 
they  gave  and  in  the  exertion  of  their  influence  with  the  Indians. 
The  traders  all  responded  with  cheerfulness  to  my  calls  upon 
them.  I  could  not  raise  a  thousand  dollars  in  money  in  the 
country,  but  I  had  five  hundred,  and  in  order  to  raise  the 
other  five  hundred  to  pay  the  two  brothers  for  Mrs.  Marble  we 
resorted  to  a  novel  mode  of  financiering.  Mr.  Riggs  and  myself 
decided  to  issue  a  territorial  bond  for  the  amount,  drawn  on 
hope  and  charity,  payable  in  three  months  from  date.  It  was 
the  first  bond  ever  issued  by  the  territory,  and  I  am  happy  to 
say  that  although  executed  without  authority,  it  met  with  a 
better  fate  than  some  which  have  followed  it  under  the  broad 
^eal  of  the  state.     It  was  paid  at  maturity. 

As  it  is  the  first  obligation  of  the  Territory,  and  being 
rather  original  in  form,  I  give  it  in  full  : 

"  I,  Stephen  R.  Riggs,  Missionary  among  the  Sioux  Indians,  and  I, 
Charles  E.  Flandrau,  United  States  Indian  Agent  for  the  Sioux,  being 
satisfied  that  Mak-pi-ya-ka-ho-ton  and  Si-ha-ho-ta,  two  Siuux  Indians, 
have  performed  a  valuable  service  to  the  Territory  of  Minnesota  and 
humanity,  by  rescuing  from  captivity  Mrs.  Margaret  Ann  Marble, 
and  delivering  her  to  the  Sioux  agent;  and  being-  further  satisfied  that 
the  rescue  of  the  two  remaining  white  women  who  are  now  in  captivity 
among  Ink-pa-dii-ta  s  band  of  Indians,  depends  much  upon  the  liberality 
shown  towards  the  said  Indians  who  have  recovered  Mrs.  Marble,  and 
having  full  confidence  in  the  humanity  and  liberality  of  the  Territoiy  of 
Minnesota  through  its  government  and  citizens,  have  this  day  paid  to 
44 


896  MINN-ESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

said  two  above  named  Indians  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars  in  money, 
and  do  hereby  pledge  to   said  two  Indians  that  the  further  sum  of  five 
hundred  dollars  will  be  paid  to  them  by  the  Territory  of  Minnesota  or  its 
citizens  within  three  months  from  the  date  hereof. 
Dated  May  22d,  1857,  at  Pa-ju-ta-zi-zi,  M.  T. 

Stephen  R.  Riggs,  Misssionary  A.  B.  C.  F.  M. 
Chas.  E.  Flandrau,  U.  S.  Indian  agent  for  Sioux. 

The  cash  and  this  paper,  paid  for  Mrs.  Marble,  and 'the 
magnificence  of  the  ransom,  produced  the  effect  I  had  antici- 
pated. Volunteers  were  not  wanting.  I  selected  Paul  Ma-za- 
KU-TA-MA-Ni,  who  was  onc  of  the  pillars  of  Mr.  Riggs' 
church,  and  two  others^  An-pe-tu-tok-cha  or  Other  Day  (who 
was  such  a  friend  of  the  whites  in  1862,  as  to  be  rewarded  by 
the  state  with  a  donation  of  a  quarter  section  of  land  for  his 
services)  and  Che-tan-maza. 

The  question  of  outfit  then  presented  itself,  and  I  ran  my 
credit  with  the  traders  for  the  following  articles,  at  the  prices 
stated : 

Wagon  and  double  harness $110  00 

Four  horses 600  00 

Twelve  three-point  blankets,  four. blue  and  eight  white. 56  00 

Twenty-two  yards  of  blue  squaw  cloth 44  00 

Thirty-seven  and  a  half  yards  of  calico 5  37 

Twenty  pounds  of  tobacco 10  00 

One  sack  of  shot 4  00 

One  dozen  shirts 13  00 

Ribbon ., 4  75 

Fifty  pounds  of  powder 25  00 

Corn 4  00 

Flour 10  00 

Coffee 1  50 

Sugar 1  50 

With  this  outfit,  and  instructions  to  give  as  much  of  it  as 
was  necessary  for  the  women,  my  expedition  started  on  the 
23d  day  of  May  from  Yellow  Medicine,  and  I  at  once  left  for 
Fort  Ridgley  to  consult  with  Colonel  Alexander  as  to  a 
plan  of  operations  for  an  attack  on  the  camp  of  Ink-pa-du-ta, 
the  instant  we  could  get  word  as  to  the  safety  of  the  white 
women. 


THE  INK-PA-DU-TA  MASSACRE  OF  1857.  397 

The  Colonel  entered  into  the  sph'it  of  the  matter  with 
great  zeal.  He  had  four  or  five  companies  at  the  fort,  and 
proposed  to  put  them  into  the  field  so  as  to  approach  Skunk 
Lake,  where  Ink-pa-du-ta  ha4  his  camp,  from  several  differ- 
ent directions,  and  ensure  his  destruction.  If  an  event  which 
was  wholly  unforseen,  had  not  transpired,  the  well  laid  plans 
of  Colonel  Alexan^der  would  undoubtedly  have  succeeded; 
but  unfortunately  for  the  cause  of  justice,  just  about  the  time 
we  began  to  expect  information  from  my  expedition,  which 
was  to  be  the  signal  lor  moving  on  the  enemy,  an  order  arrived 
at  the  fort  commanding  the  Colonel  with  all  his  available  force 
to  start  immediately  and  join  the  expedition  against  the 
Mormons,  which  was  then  moving  to  Utah  under  the  com- 
mand of  General  Albert  Sydney  Johi^son'.  So  pre-emptory 
was  the  command,  that  the  steamboat  which  brought  the  order 
carried  off  the  entire  garrison  of  the  fort,  and  put  an  end  to 
all  hopes  of  our  being  able  to  punish  the  enemy. 

Hon.  Samuel  Medary,  of  Ohio,  was  at  this  time  Governor 
of  the  Territory.  The  appropriation  of  $10,000,  which  had 
been  made  by  the  legislature,  could  only  be  made  available 
by  using  it  as  a  basis  for  borrowing  money  at  an  enormous 
shave,  as  current  rates  of  interest  on  good  security  were  from 
three  to  five  per  cent,  per  month,  and  an  order  of  this  kind 
on  an  empty  treasury  was  by  no  means  regarded  as  satisfac- 
tory protection  to  a  lender.  The  Governor  very  naturally 
concluded  that  from  my  relations  with  the  Indians  I  was  best 
situated  to  advise  as  to  his  course  concerning  the  captives, 
and  at  the  first  opportunity  placed  the  whole  matter  in  my 
hands,  but  as  my  expedition  was  then  in  the  field,  nothing 
more  was  necessary  to  be  done  until  we  had  news  from  it. 

I  will  now  return  to  the  expedition.  Skunk  Lake  was  dis- 
tant about  one  hundred  miles  from  the  Yellow  Medicine 
Agency.  As  before  stated,  my  party  left  the  Agency  on  May 
23d.  On  the  29th  they  found  the  dead  body  of  Mrs.  Nobles, 
who  had  been  killed  by  her  captors,  because  of  her  being  sick 
and  weary,  and  in  consequence  becoming  a  burden  to  them. 

On  the  30th  of  May  they  arrived  at  a  camp  of  one  hundred 
and  ninety  lodges  of  Yanktons,  and  three  lodges  of  Ink-pa- 
du4a's  band.    Here  they  learned  that  Mrs.  Thatcher  had 


393  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

been  killed  on  the  march  from  Spirit  Lake  westward,  and 
that  Miss  Gardner  had  been  sold  to  a  Yankton  warrior  of 
the  name  of  Wam-a-dus-ha-i-han-hi^  or  the  End-of-the- 
Snake.  They  succeeded  in  buying  Miss  Gardner  for  two 
horses,  seven  blankets,  two  kegs  of  powder,  one  box  of  to- 
bacco and  some  other  small  articles. 

My  people  were  afraid  that  Inh-jpa-du-ta' s  Indians  might 
molest  them  on  their  return  with  Miss  Gardner,  and  per- 
haps kill  her.  So,  as  a  matter  of  safety,  they  obtained  as  an 
escort,  two  sons  of  End-of-ihe-Snake,  who  accompanied 
them  to  the  agency. 

The  Yanktons  were  a  very  warlike  and  powerful  branch  of 
the  Sioux  nation,  and  the  presence  of  these  two  young  men 
of  that  band,  was  as  perfect  a  protection,  as  would  have 
been  a  regiment  of  troops;  the  moral  force  of  their  presence 
being  sufficient  to  keep  aloof  all  enemies. 

Having  started  my  expedition  on  its  return,  with  all  that 
remained  of  the  white  captives,  I  will  go  back  to  Mrs.  Mar- 
ble. When  she  arrived  under  the  escort  of  the  two  brothers, 
she  was  dressed  by  their  mother  in  the  best  that  the  lodge 
afforded,  and  with  the  jaunty  squaw  costume,  very  brown 
cheeks,  ear-bobs,  short  petticoats,  trim  ankles,  and  neat  moc- 
casins, she  made  rather  an  attractive  looking  woman.  The 
missionaries  however,  in  the  goodness  of  their  hearts  (which 
attribute  does  not  necessarily  involve  good  taste)  insisted 
upon  rehabilitating  her  in  what  they  were  pleased  to  call 
more  Christian  raiment;  so  they  stripped  her  of  her  pictur- 
esque heathen  attire,  and  enveloped  her  in  an  ill-fitting 
calico  dress,  improvised  for  the  occasion,  which,  although 
more  Christian,  was  a  deadly  assault  upon  beauty,  either  in 
nature  or  art.  On  viewing  the  transformation,  I  thought  of 
the  lines  of  Moore: 

"The  heretic  girl  of  my  soul  shall  I  fly, 
To  seelc  somewhere  else  a  more  orthodox  kiss? 
No  ;  perish  the  hearts  and  the  laws  that  would  try 
Truth,  valor  or  love  by  a  standard  like  this." 

Under  these  depressing  influences,  I  took  her  in  my  wagon 
aud  drove  her  from  the  Yellow  Medicine  to  St.  Paul.  When 
I  arrived  with  my  charge  at  the  old  Fuller  House,  which  stood 


THE  INK-PA-DU-TA  MASSACRE  OF  1857.  399 

on  the  northeast  corner  of  Jackson  and  Seventh  streets,  and 
was  then  the  leading  hotel  in  the  city,  kept  by  "Steve  Long 
&  Bro.,"  the  news  spread  like  a  prairie  fire  that  one  of  the  cap- 
tives had  arrived.  Having  the  best  interest  of  the  poor  woman 
at  heart,  I  concluded  that  it  was  legitimate  to  take  advantage 
of  the  generous  outburst  of  sympathy  on  the  part  of  the  St. 
Paul  people,  so  I  turned  her  over  to  Mrs.  Long,  the  landlady 
of  the  hotel,  with  instructions  to  keep  her  entirely  secluded; 
to  procure  for  her  the  most  effective  widows  weed^s  attainable 
in  the  market,  and  to  notify  me  when  she  would  be  ready  for 
presentation  in  her  role  of  rescued  captive.  A.s  an  artist, 
Mrs.  Long  was  a  success.  When  she  had  dressed  our  subject, 
no  man  could  look  upon  her  without  opening  his  heart  and 
purse.     She  was  a  black  statue  of  woe  and  grief. 

Here  I  must  say,  that  before  I  had  time  to  try  the  effect  of 
Mrs.  Long's  art  on  the  public,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the 
office  of  the  hotel,  and  one  thousand  dollars  was  raised  for 
Mrs.  Marble,  and  handed  to  me  to  be  used  for  her  as  I  should 
think  best.  I  turned  the  woman  and  the  money  over  to 
Governor  Medary.  She  remained  several  weeks  in  St.  Paul, 
and  then  went  down  the  river;  when  she  left,  the  Governor 
gave  her  $250  of  the  money,  and  deposited  the  balance  in 
one  of  our  banks,  at  three  per  cent,  per  month,  for  her  bene- 
fit. Of  course  the  bank  failed,  and  that  was  the  end  of  Mrs. 
Marble  so  far  as  I  know,  except  that  I  heard  that  she  ex- 
hibited herself  at  the  East,  in  the  role  of  the  rescued  cap- 
tive, and  the  very  last  information  I  had  of  her,  was,  that  she 
went  up  in  a  balloon  at  New  Orleans.  I  leave  to  future  his- 
torians the  solution  of  the  problem,  whether  she  ever  came 
down  again? 

I  was  in  St.  Paul  when  my  expedition  arrived  at  the 
agency.  I  cannot  state  the  date  exactly,  but  it  must  have 
been  about  the  tenth  or  twelfth  day  of  June,  as  they  did  not 
bring  Miss  Gardner  to  me  at  St.  Paul,  until  about  June  20. 
She  was  accompanied  by  her  rescuers,  and  one  of  the  Yank- 
tons  who  came  in  with  the  expedition. 

On  the  23d  day  of  June,  she  was  formally  delivered  over 
the  governor  by  the  Indians,  at  the  Fuller  House,  in  the 
presence  of  quite  a  large  company  of  ladies  and  gentlemen. 


400  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

who  assembled  to  witness  the  ceremony.  The  usual  amount 
of  speech-making  took  place,  and  at  the  end  of  the  interview, 
the  Yankton  Indian  presented  to  Miss  Gardner  a  head  dress 
composed  of  thirty  splendid  ea^le  feathers,  called  W'mdi-wa- 
pa-ha^  or  war  cap. 

Miss  Gardner  was  a  young  woman  of  about  eighteen 
years  of  as^e,  good  looking,  robust,  and  apparently  not  much 
injured  in  body  by  her  terrible  trial.  She  was  sent  to  her 
friends  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa.  Some 
time  afterward  I  received  a  pamphlet  written  by  some  one  in 
Iowa,  giving  a  history  of  the  family,  and  the  tribulations  of 
this  particular  member  of  it.  I  regret  that  I  did  not  save  it 
for  record  in  the  archives  of  your  society.  It  would  have 
afforded  amusement  for  future  antiquaries  who  will  be 
digging  among  your  files  some  of  these  days. 

I  returned  at  once  to  the  Indian  country,  after  disposing 
of  Miss  Gardner,  and  on  the  27th  day  of  June,  1857,  settled 
with  my  Indians  for  their  services  in  her  rescue.  I  paid  each 
of  the  three  Indian  $400,  and  took  the  following  voucher: 

Territory  of  Minnesota. 
To  Maza-hu-ta-ma-ni,  An-pe-tu-tok-cha  and    Che-tan-maza,  debtor. 

June  27,  1857. 
For  rescuing  Miss  Gardner  from  captivity  among  Ink-pa- du-ta  s 
band  of  Indians,  and  for  services  performed  in  attempting  the  rescue  of 
Mrs.  Noble  from  the  same  Indians,  and  for  all  services  performed  by 

them  in  and  about  said  matter $1,200.00 

Received,  Sioux  Agency,  June  27,  1857,  of  Samuel  Medary,  Governor 
of  Minnesota,  twelve  hundred  dollars  in  full  of  this  account. 

Maza-ku-ta-mani,  X  mark. 
Au-pte-tu-tok-cha,  X  mark. 
^he-tan- maza,  X  mark. 
I  certify  on  honor  that  the  above  account  is  correct  and  just,   and 
that  I  have  actually  this  27th  day  of  June,  1857,  paid  the  amount  thereof. 

Chas.  E.  Flandrau." 
We  witnessed  the  payment  of  the  said  money  and  the  signatures  of 
said  Indians. 

Stewart  B,  Garvie. 
A.  J.  Campbell,  Interpreter. 

I  also  made  a  good  many  presents  to  Indians  who  had  been 
kind  to  Mrs.  Mirble,  and  Miss  Gardner,  but  not  exceed- 


THE  INK-PA-DU-TA  MASSACRE  OF  1857.  401 

ing  in  amount  over  one  hundred  dollars.  My  advances  vrere 
all  refunded  from  the  appropriation,  and  the  balance  "covered 
into  the  treasury,"  to  use  a  modern  expression. 

I  was  ordered  by  the  United  States  Government  "to  inves- 
tigate and  report  the  facts  in  the  case,  and  the  measures 
which  in  my  judgment  were  best  calculated  to  redress  the 
grievances  and  prevent  their  recurrence  in  the  future." 

I  had  become  so  thoroughly  convinced  of  the  imbecility  of 
a  military  administration,  which  clothed  and  equipped  its 
troops  exactly  in  the  same  manner  for  duty  in  the  tropical 
climate  of  Florida,  and  the  frigid  region  of  Minnesota,  that  I 
took  advantage  of  the  invitation,  to  lay  before  the  authorities 
some  of  my  notions  as  to  what  was  the  proper  thing  to  do, 
and  you  will  excuse  me  if  I  repeat  some  of  them  here,  I 
believe  twenty  years  has  enlightened  that  non-progressive 
institution,  to  the  extent  of  furnishing  the  soldiers  in  this 
latitude,  with  buffalo  overcoats  and  snow  packs.  I  can  only 
account  for  this  deviation  from  the  practice  of  the  past 
hundred  years,  however,  on  the  theory  that  the  climate  is 
becoming  decidedly  milder. 

I  reported  on  the  27th  of  August,  1857,  and  after  insisting 
on  a  force  of  not  less  than  four  hundred  mounted  men,  to  be 
kept  during  the  summer  in  the  field,  between  the  Big  Sioux 
and  the  James  rivers,  and  the  balance  of  the  season  at  well 
selected  posts  on  the  frontier.     I  added  as  follows: 

"All  troops  in  this  country  should  be  drilled  to  travel  on  snow-shoes, 
because  during  the  entire  winter,  it  is  next  to  impc^sible  to  travel  without 
them,  where  there  are  no  roads,  which  will  generally  be  the  case  where 
Indians  will  lead  soldiers  in  a  chase.  The  Indians  all  have  snow-shoes 
and  know  how  to  use  them,  and  will  make  twenty  miles,  where  a  man 
with  shoes  or  boots  on,  will  become  exhausted  and  fail  in  five.  Without 
snow-shoes  and  the  accompanmg-  moccasins,  and  change  of  dress  to  adapt 
a  soldier  to  the  climate  and  country  he  is  to  act  in ,  the  superiority  of  the 
Indian,  who  is  furnished  with  all  these  appliances,  is  so  great  as  to  render 
the  soldier,  how  good  so  ever  he  may  be,  as  a  man,  utterly  useless. 

The  ordinary  means  of  transportation  in  the  army  is,  as  you  well  know, 
by  heavy  wagons  drawn  by  mules.  In  the  winter  these  wagons  are 
placed  upon  sleds,  and  where  there  are  roads  for  them  to  go  upon,  they 
can  do  well  enough.    But,  as  I  have  before  said,  it  will  be  very  seldom  if 


402  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

ever,  that  troops  will  be  called  upon  to  act  in  a  country  where  there  are 
roads  of  any  kind  made  in  the  snow,  consequently  these  sleds  and  mules 
are  useless. 

The  mode  of  tranportation  in  all  extreme  northern  countries  in  the  win- 
ter is  with  dogs  and  trains;  they  pass  over  the  surface  of  the  snow,  and 
can  be  followed  by  men  on  snow-shoes  anywhere.  A  party  with  an  outfit 
of  this  kind,  with  provision  to  correspond,  would  be  efficient  in  the  winter, 
where  the  present  United  States  soldier  of  any  arm,  with  the  usual  outfit 
and  transportation,  would  accomplish  nothing.  Let  men  be  placed  here, 
then, who  will  at  all  times  and  under  all  circumstances,  be  superior  to 
the  enemy  they  have  to  contend  with,  and  I  would  have  no  fear  of  a  re- 
currence of  the  difficulties  of  last  spring. 

The  pleasantest  part  of  this  narrative  is  yet  to  come.  It 
treats  of  vengeance  and  retribution.  Just  about  the  time  I 
had  settled  up  for  Mis?  Gardner,  either  the  latter  part  of 
June  or  the  first  of  July,  I  received  a  note  from  Sam  Brown", 
a  brother  or  cousin  of  Joseph  R.  Bnowif,  who  was  a  trader  at 
the  Yellow  Medicine  river.  The  note  was  written  at  his  tra- 
ding house,  and  delivered  to  me  at  Red  Wood  by  an  Indian. 
It  contained  the  startling  information  that  Ink-pa-du-ta  and 
several  of  his  band  were  at  the  Yellow  Medicine,  and  that  he 
thought  something  should  be  done  to  either  arrest  or  destroy 
them.  I  held  the  messenger  until  I  could  go  to  the  fort  and 
consult' Colonel  Alexander,  as  to  the  best  measures  to  be 
taken  to  meet  the  emergency.  The  Colonel  agreed  with  me 
that  an  effort  should  be  made  to  punish  these  rascals,  and  he 
gave  me  a  lieutenant  and  fifteen  men  for  the  duty.  It  fell  to 
Mr.  Murray,  of  Captain  Bee's  company,  to  command  the 
squad,  the  same  offi6er  who  had  been  on  the  Spirit  Lake  expe- 
dition. He  marched  his  men  up  to  the  Red  Wood  Agency, 
a  distance  of  thirteen  miles,  where  he  arrived  at  about  5,  p.  m. 
I  was  ready  for  him,  and  had  wagons  to  transport  his  men  to 
the  Yellow  Medicine,  a  distance  of  about  thirty  miles.  In 
the  meantime  I  had  raised  a  little  expedition  of  my  own  to 
accompany  him.  There  were  several  young  gentlemen  visit- 
ing me  at  the  Agency  at  the  time,  among  whom  I  remember 
a  son  of  Professor  Morse,  of  telegraphic  fame,  who  had  been 
a  West  Pointer;  and  a  Mr.  Charles  Jenny,  a  friend  of  the 
Fullers,  who  was  a  character  in  his  way.  He  had  been  a  great 
traveller;  having  visited  nearly  all  parts  of  the  world,  but 


THE  INK-PA-DU-TA  MASSACRE   OF   1857.  403 

most  of  his  voyaging  had  been  by  sea,  so  he  had  not  learned 
to  ride  on  horseback.  He  was  bound  to  go  on  the  expedition, 
but  he  absolutely  refused  to  mount  a  horse,  so  we  had  to  put 
him  in  the  wagons  with  the  soldiers.  My  contribution  to  the 
outfit  consisted  of  Joe  Campbell,  my  interpreter;  Johjs"  Camp- 
bell, his  brother,  (who  was  afterwards  hanged  at  Mankato 
by  the  people,  for  his  participation  in  the  murder  of  the  Jew- 
ETT  family,  in  that  vicinity),  Hippolyte  Campbell  (who  was 
my  blacksmith  at  the  time),  James  Magner  (who  was  my 
chief  farmer,  a  young  Irishman  of  great  promise,  a  splendid 
horseman  and  a  splendid  fellow  gsnerally;  he  was  killed  in 
the  late  war,  while  leading  his  company,  of  which  he  was 
Captain,  in  an  engagement,  the  name  of  which  I  cannot  now 
recall),  and  some  half  dozen  more  of  white  men  and  half- 
breeds,  together  with  Morse,  Je^^n^ey  and  myself.  I  mounted 
all  my  men  but  Jenj^ey,  and  each  man  had  a  shot  gun  and  a 
revolver. 

As  soon  as  I  had  learned  that  I  could  get  the  soldiers,  I  sent 
the  Indian  messenger  back  to  Sam  Beownt,  with  a  note  telling 
him  that  I  should  leave  the  Red  Wood  Agency  for  the  Yellow 
Medicine  river  at  dark,  and  that  he  must  send  a  party  to  meet 
me  on  the  road,  who  could  guide  the  expedition  to  the  camp 
where  Ink-pa -dit-ta  and  his  people  were  supposed  to  be. 

With  these  preparations  we  set  out  about  dark.  The  dis- 
tance from  the  Red  Wood  Agency  to  the  Yellow  Medicine 
river  is  about  thirty  miles.  The  Redwood  and  Yellow  Medi- 
cine rivers  flow  into  the  Minnesota  on  about  parallel  lines, 
from  the  west,  with  a  distance  between  them  of  about  twenty 
miles  by  the  road  as  traveled  in  those  da5^s.  The  country  be- 
tween the  two  rivers  is  a  level  prairie,  with  a  curious  Butte, 
or  elevation,  situated  about  half  way  between  them.  This 
Butte  is  famous  as  being  the  point  where  a  great  battle  took 
place  between  the  Sioux  and  Chippewas,  lasting  four  days. 
The  rifle  pits  made  by  the  Sioux  on  the  occasion  of  this  fight, 
are  well  Refined  to  this  day.  Frorfi  the  top  ot  the  hill,  the 
timber  of  both  rivers  is  plainly  visible.  I  might  ^ay  here, 
that  in  the  Sioux  country,  all  trails  pass  over  the  top  of  every 
elevation  on  the  route.  These  Indians  were  at  war  with  every 
tribe  around  them  except  the  Winnebagoes,  and  led  a  life  of 


404  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

vigilant  watchfuluess.  They  were  constantly  on  the  lookout 
for  an  enemy,  who  was  liable  to  appear  at  any  moment,  and 
when  he  did  appear,  somebody  had  to  die.  In  traveling  they 
always  went  to  the  top  of* every  hill,  to  lookout.  The  habits 
of  these  people  on  a  march,  always  made  me  think  of  a  wolf 
whose  ears  are  constantly  pricked  for  sound,  and  who  seems 
to  sleep  with  one  eye  open. 

When  we  arrived  at  the  hill,  those  of  us  who  were  mounted 
of  course  went  to  the  top  of  it.  There  we  found  An-pe-tu- 
tok-cha,  or  Mr.  Other  Day,  whom  Brown  had  sent  down  to 
escort  us  to  the  camp  of  Inh-pa-du-ta.  This  was  the  same 
man  who  had  formed  one  of  the  expedition  which  ransomed 
Miss  Gardner.  He  was  seated  on  the  summit  of  the  mound 
with  his  pipe  in  his  mouth,  and,  Indian  like,  did  not  show  the 
slightest  sign  of  recognition  or  interest,  but  waited  to  be 
spoken  to.  He  informed  us  that  there  were  some  of  Ink-pa- 
du4a's  people  at  the  Yellow  Medicine.  How  many  he  did 
not  know,  but  he  knew  where  the  camp  was  that  held  them. 
He  described  it  as  a  camp  of  six  lodges,  standing  separate 
from  all  the  others,  and  up  the  river  about  five  miles  from 
the  Agency.  How,  I  asked  him,  are  we  to  distinguish  the 
people  we  are  after,  from  the  rest  ?  His  answer  was,  "you 
charge  down  on  the  camp,  and  when  they  see  the  soldiers, 
they  will  know  who  they  are  after,  and  any  of  Ink-pa-du-ta's 
people  that  are  there,  will  run  or  show  fight,  the  rest  will  re- 
main passive."  Joe  Campbell  confirmed  this  view,  and  we 
decided  to  seize  or  kill  any  one  who  fled,  and  take  the  chances 
of  their  being  the  right  ones.  With  this  plan,  we  started  for 
the  Yellow  Medicine  under  the  guidance  of  Other  Day,  We 
reached  the  river  at  the  point  where  we  proposed  to  cross,  just 
in  the  gray  of  the  morning.  The  camp  we  were  after  was  in 
plain  view  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  on  a  high  plateau  of 
land,  and  about  one  mile  up  stream  from  the  point  where  we 
were  to  ford.  In  approaching  the  river,  we  had  exercised  the 
utmost  stealth — creeping  noiselessly  along,  and  keeping  be- 
tween us  and  the  enemy  a  roll  of  the  prairie.  The  intense 
earnestness  and  nervous  anxiety  exhibited  by  Other  Day, 
and  his  snake-like  movements,  were  a  study.  I  had  seen  a 
good  deal  of  Indian  life,  but  this  was  the  first  time  I  had  ever 


THE  INK-PA-DU-TA  MASSACRE  OF  1857.  405 

been  on  the  war-path  with  them,  and  I  sawan  exhibition  of 
skill  that  has  furnished  me  with  a  key  to  all  the  Indian  am- 
buscades I  have  since  read  of,  and  explained  those  mysterious 
appearances  and  disappearances  of  Indians,  that  all  frontiers- 
men are  so  familiar  with.  No  panther  ever  stole  upon  its 
prey  with  more  deadly  silence  and  certainty,  than  we  did  on 
this  occasion,  under  the  conduct  of  this  savage. 

The  six  lodges  were  upon  the  open  prairie,  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  from  the  bank  of  the  river.  To  get  to  the  river 
from  the  camp,  this  distance  had  to  be  traversed,  and  the  river 
lay  about  forty  or  fifty  feet  below  the  level  of  the  prairie  by 
a  precipitous  descent.  The  banks  of  the  river  were  covered 
with  a  dense  chaparral,  forming  an  excellent  cover.  We  knew 
that  if  any  Indians  ran,  they  would  make  for  the  river.  Lieu- 
tenant Murray  was  to  command  the  military  part  of  the 
affair,  and  the  plan  of  operations  was  as  follows  :  The  soldiers 
were  to  take  a  double-quick  up  the  river  on  the  prairie  in  the 
direction  of  the  camp,  and  endeavor  to  cut  off  a  retreat  to  the 
river,  while  the  mounted  men  were  to  take  the  op3n  prairie 
outside  of  the  camp,  and  virtually  make  a  surround.  As  soon 
as  all  was  ready,  the  word  of  command  was  given,  and  off  we 
went.  The  night  had  been  a  hot  one,  and  the  lodges  were 
rolled  up  at  the  bottom  so  ^s  to  admit  a  circulation  of 
air,  which  also  gave  a  person  inside  an  opportunity  of  seeing 
what  was  going  on,  on  the  outside.  It  was  not  long  before 
our  presence  was  made  known  to  the  inmates  of  the  camp. 
The  unusual  spectacle  of  a  dozen  horsemen  furiously  charg- 
ing over  the  prairie,  and  a  squad  of  soldiers  legging  it  as  fast 
as  they  could  after  them,  could  not  remain  long  unnoticed. 
When  we  had  arrived  within  about  half  a  mile  of  the  camp 
an  Indian  having  a  squaw  by  the  hand,  ran  from  one  of  the 
lodges  in  the  direction  of  the  river.  They  went  like  the  wind. 
Other  Day  and  Joe.  Campbell  immediately  said,  "That's 
our  man,"  and  the  rifles  began  to  »rack.  The  soldiers  opened 
on  him  at  long  range,  and  several  shots  were  fired  from  the 
party  on  horseback.  Whether  he  was  hit  or  not,  we  could  not 
tell,  except  by  the  fact  that  he  did  not  fall,  but  made  the  river 
successfully.  He  had  a  double-barreled  shot-guu  in  his  hands, 
and  as  he  could  not  be  seen  in  the  brush  by  us,  and  we  could 


406  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

be  seen  by  him  on  the  river  bottom,  and  the  top  of  the  bluff 
outside  of  it,  the  situation  was  not  agreeable,  and  I  expected 
every  moment  to  see  a  man  fall.  He  fired  four  shots;  one 
bullet  struck  the  cartridge-box  of  one  of  the  soldiers,  which 
he  had  drawn  around  to  his  left  side  for  convenience  in  load- 
ing, and  turned  it  inside  out,  destroying  all  his  ammunition. 
All  his  other  shots  missed.  At  each  discharge  of  his  gun,  a 
volley  would  be  fired  into  the  point  where  the  flash  came 
from,  and  he  was  riddled  with  bullets.  A  soldier  then  crawled 
up  and  dispatched  him  with  a  thrust  of  his  sabre  bayonet. 

We  took  the  squaw  and  put  her  into  one  of  our  was^ons, 
and  started  down  the  river  for  the  Agency.  .  The  object  of 
taking  the  squaw,  was  to  find  out  from  her  who  the  Indian 
was  whom  we  had  killed,  and  to  get  such  other  information 
from  her  as  we  could;  but  we  had  not  calculated  all  the  con- 
sequences of  making  her  a  prisoner,  which  developed  after- 
wards. 

In  going  from  the  point  where  we  had  killed  the  Indian  to 
the  Agency  we  had  to  pass  through  the  camps  of  from-  seven 
to  ten  thousand  Indians.  The  excitement  among  them  was 
terrible.  The  squaw  kept  up  a  howling  such  as  a  squaw  in 
distress  only  can  make.  The  Indians  swarmed  about  us,  guns 
in  hand,  and  scowled  upon  us  in  the  most  threatening  man- 
ner, making  demonstrations  of  hostility  that  made  our  little 
band  feel  how  utterly  we  were  at  their  mercy  had  they  opened 
on  us.  I  then  began  to  realize  the  desperate  temerit}^  of  the 
enterprise.  Our  salvation  was  simply  the  moral  force  of  the 
government  that  was  behind  us.  We  reached  the  Agency 
buildings  in  safety,  and  took  possession  of  a  log  house,  where 
we  remained  several  days  in  a  state  of  sleepless  anxiety,  until 
relieved  by  Major  Sherman  with  the  famous  old  Buena  Vista 
battery,  who  had  been  ordered  up  from  Fort  Snelling  to  at- 
tend the  payment. 

We  felt,  while  holding  our  position  in  this  house,  very  much 
like  the  man  who  was  chased  by  a  bear,  and  finally  seized  his 
paws  around  a  tree ;  he  wanted  somebody  to  help  him  let  go. 

The  major  had  about  sixty  men  with  the  battery,  and  we 
afterward   received    a  reinforcement  of    several    companies 


THE  IN^E-PA-DU-TA  MASSACRE  OF  1857.  407 

under  Major  Fatten",  wlio  was  on  his  way  to  Ridgely  from 
some  point  on  the  Missouri,  either  Pierre  or  Randall,  or  Lar- 
amie to  the  west,  I  do  not  now  remember. 

The  Indian  we  killed  was  the  eldest  son  of  Ink-pa-du-ta^ 
and  one  of  the  head  devils  in  the  Spirit  Lake  and  Springfield 
massacres.  He  had  a  wife  or  a  sweetheart  among  the  Indians 
at  the  Yellow  Medicine  river,  and  had  ventured  to  come  over 
to  see  her.  His  visit  cost  him  his  life.  There  were  no 
others  of  the  band  at  the  agency,  or  probably  I  would  not 
have  been  here  to  tell  the  story. 

Colonel  Alexander,  who  aided  me  in  all  these  matters  so 
materially,  is  now  a  retired  officer  of  the  army,  residing  in 
St.  Paul,  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him,  as  a  gallant  soldier 
and  a  genial  gentleman  should  be.  Captain  Bee  was  by  force 
of  circumstances,  and  against  his  better  judgment,  induced  to 
go  into  the  Confederacy,  and  was  killed  at  the  first  battle  of 
Bull  Ran,  while  gallantly  leading  his  brigade  in  that  action. 
Lieutenant  Murray  did  good  service  for  the  Union  in  the  war 
as  a  soldier,  and  I  heard  that  he  was  retired  on  account  of 
wounds  or  of  some  other  disability. 

Ink-pa-du-ta  is  dead,  and  I  am  sorry  to  say,  died  a  natural 
death,  honored  by  his  people  as  one  of  the  best  haters  of  the 
whites  in  the  whole  Sioux  nation.  No  other  member  of  hi? 
band  was  ever  punished  for  the  Spirit-Lake  massacre  that  I 
ever  heard  of. 

I  have  penned  this  narrative  largely  from  memory,  having 
few  documents  to  refer  to,  so  there  may  be  some  inaccuracies 
in  the  recital;  but  I  can  safely  say  it  is  substantially  correct 
in  all  material  particulars. 

St.  Paul,  December  8, 1879. 


INDEX. 


American  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Foreign  Mission. . .  .361, 381, 369  370, 373 

374,  377 

Adams,  Kev.  Moses  N.,  a  missionary 122,  123 

Agassiz,  Louis,  the  naturalist 350 

Agate  Bay,  Lake  Superior 353 

Agency  of  Sioux,  on  Missouri  Kiver Ill,  113, 125,  269,  388,  390 

Agriculture  among  the  Dakotas 191, 251 

in  Minnesota,  thought  impossible 160,269,270 

Aird,  an  early  Indian  Trader 148 

Aitkin,  Wm.  A.,  an  Indian  Trader 138,248,344 

Alton,  Jno.  F.,  a  missionary 122, 123 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  mentioned 349 

Alexander,  Col.  E.  B.,  U.  S.  A 390,  392,  396,  397,  402,  407 

Aldrich,  Cyrus,  Congressman  from  Minn 48,  213 

Aidrich,  Dexter,  father  of  Cyrus 213 

Algonquin,  or  Ojibwa,  stock 171 

Alton,  111.  mentioned 213,295 

Allonez,  Claude,  a  pioneer  of  New  France 335 

American  Flag,  first  hoisted  on  Lake  Superior 345 

American  Fur  Co 176,  192, 193, 196,  224. 278,  343,  344,  374 

American  influence,  advent  of,  on  the  Lakes 342 

American  system  of  dealing  with  Indians 162 

Anderson,  Dr.  C.L 27 

Andrews.  Hon.  C.  C.    Works  mentioned 21 

Anpetutokitcha,  (John  Other-day,)  whom  see 

Anywanymane,  Simon,  a  friendly  Dakota 86,  89, 119, 126, 128j  190 

Angelo,  Michael,  referred  to 336 

Apostle  Islands,  Lake  Superior 352 

Aixjhaeology,  of  Lake  Superior 334 

Arnold,  Mrs.  W.  J.    Work  referred  to 59 

Arrow,  an  Indian  chief 154 

Astor,  John  Jacob,  the  Fur  Trader, 176, 192,343 

Athabasca  Lake,  British  North  America 347 

Atilixco,  Mexico,  battle  of 315 

Atkinson,  Col.    U.  S.  A : 163 

Atlantic  Ocean 354 

Atwater,  Isaac,  an  early  Jurist 273 

Aunger,  A.  a  pioneer  of  the  N.  "W.  drowned 150. 

Austin,  Horace.  ex-Gov 297 

Austrian,  Julius,  a  trader  on  Lake  Superior 344 

Bailly,  Alexis,  a  trader  among  the  Dakotas 245,  248,  319 

Baker,  Hon.  James  H.— paper  by 333 

Balm  of  Gilead,  tree.    Ojibwa  name  of 337 

Baldwin  School,  St.  Paul,  referred  to 51,  61 

Bancroft,  Geo.,  the  historian,  quoted 336 


i 


IKDEX.  409 

Baptism,  of  first  male  Dakota  convert 188 

Baptism,  of  300  Dakota  prisoners  127,  379 

Bassett's  Creek,  Hennepin  county,  referred  to 359 

Bates,  Mr.    An  early  trader  in  the  N.  W 167 

Battle  of  Antietam,  mentioned , . 323 

Ball'sBluff,  •'         322 

Bull's  Run,  "         ..322 

Bunker  Hill,        "         352 

Perry's  Nictory.  " 352 

South  Mountain,  "        323 

Birch  Doolie,        "        ^ 280 

Wood  Lake,   •      *'         , ..., 101 

Battles  of  Mexican  War 187, 315 

Bayfield,  Lt.  Henry  W.— British  Navy 350 

Bays,  of  Lake  Superior 353 

Baxter,  an  English  Trader 340 

Bears,  get  fat  by  sucking  their  pa  ws  in  winter  ! 9 

Beaulieu,  Clement  H.    Trader  among  Ojlbwas 248,  344 

Becker,  Hon.  Geo.  L.    A  pioneer  of  Minnesota , 304 

Bee,  Capt,  Barnard  E.,U.  S.  A 390,391,392,402,407 

Beech  Tree,  sacred  to  the  Dakotas 153 

Begging,  by  the  Indians 147, 148, 161, 164 

Bell  Fontaine,  Mo '- 147 

Belle  Plaine,  Minn 250.319 

Bellin,  speaks  of  Otchaga's  Map 2 

Beltrami,  Constantine,  early  explorer  of  Minnesota 19,42,103 

Bemau ,  Re v .  Dr.,  Troy,  N.  Y 304, 308 

Bennington,  Vt.,  mentioned 180, 186, 187 

Benson ,  Minn.,  mentioned 360 

Benton,  Hon.  Thos.  H.,  mentioned 315 

Berthier,  Canada,  me  ntioned 168 

Bible,  translated  into  Dakota 366,375,382 

Bibliography  of  Minnesota,  paper  on, 13 

Bienville,  De,  leaves  for  France,  &c., 2, 4 

Big  Curly,  a  Dakota  Chief 99 

Big  Eagle,  a  Sauk  Chief 164 

Big  Horn,  (river)  Montana 286,287,290 

Big  Stone  Lake,  Minn 1§5,  202, 2lo.  250 

Big  Thunder,  (Dakota  Chief).    See  Little  Crow 

Big  Woods  of  Minnesota 319,  320 

Big  Sioux  River,  Dakota 388,393,401 

Biloxi,  fort,  Bienville  examines  stores  at.  4 

Birch  Coolie,  battle  of 280 

Bishop,  Miss  Harriet  E.,  her  works 21,25,60 

Biting  noses,  a  Dakota  pastime • 100 

Black  Dog,  a  Dakota  Chief  132,134 

Black  Hawk,  the  Chief 143,344 

Black  Thunder,  a  Dakota  Chief 142 

Black  Hills 236,288,289,290,291,292 

Bliss,  Maj.  commander  at  Fort  Snelling 359 

Bloomington,  Ind..  mentioned • 314,  323, 324 

Bloomington,  Mian.,  mentioned :  283,  356,  -862,  364, 365,  371 

Bloody  Run,  Wis 183 

Blue  Earth  county,  Minn.,  mentioned 27,28 

Blue  Earth  City,  history  of,  referred  to 29 

Blue  Earth  River,  Minn .,  mentioned •  -2*  11, 133 


410  MmJ^ESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

Blum,  Mrs.  Louis,  of  St.  Paul 319 

Boilvin,  Nicholas,  agent  for  Dak  otas 141 

Boisbriant,  M.  de,  mentioned  by  Penicaud .4 

Bulger,  Col.,  British  comramander  at  Prairie  du  Chien 176 

Bond,  J.  Wesley,  his  works  referred  to 20 

Books,  in  Dakota 128 

Books,  relating  to  Minnesota,  list  of 13 

Boone,  Daniel,  referred  to 184 

Borup,  Dr.  C.  W,    Trader  on  Lake  Superior 248,  344 

Boston,  Mass.,  referred  to 351 

Bottineau,  Pierre,  a  pioneer  of  Minnesota 226 

Bouet, Francis,  copyist  of  Penicaud's  Ms  : 3 

Boundary,  changes  affecting  Minnesota 265 

Bourgne,  (or  Tahama,)  a  Dakota  brave 150, 165 

Brackett,  Geo,  A.,  of  Minneapolis 215 

Breed,  Rev.  David  R.,  St.  Paul 363,  364 

Bremer,  Miss  Frcderika,  the  authoress 19 

Bribing  a  Governor,  attempted 317 

British,  capture  Prairie  du  Chien , 175 

British  Government,  their  mode  of  dealing  with  Indians 162 

British  Parliament.    Fur  Co's.  dispute  examined  by 34i 

Brooke,  Gen.    U.  S.  A ...197 

Brooks  Rev.  Jabez,  pioneer  clergyman '. 56 

Brown,  Joseph  R  ,  memoirs  of 201,  204,  208 

Brown,  Joseph  R.,  mentioned 31,68, 111,247,267,  270,319,402 

Brown,  Nathaniel ,. . . .ill 

Browne,  J.  Ross,  a  Government  detective 317 

Browne,  S.  F.,  a  trader 402,403,404 

Brules,  or  half-breeds  342 

Brule  River 246 

Bryant,  Chas.  S.    His  history  quoted 35,  93, 150 

Buchanan,  James,  president  of  U.  S 321 

Buell ,  Salmon  A.,  of  St .  Peter 93 

Buena  Vista,  battle  of 31^ 

Buffaloes , 7,  347,  256 

Bull  Run ,  battle  of 407 

Bunker  Hill,  battle  of 252 

Burnet,  Judge  Jacob,  of  Ohio 277 

Bushnell,  Rev.  George,  quoted 358 

Cadle,  Rev.  R.  F.,of  Detroit , 278 

Cadotte,  Michael,  of  La  Pointe 338 

Calhoun,  Hon.  J.  C 16, 315 

California,  discovery  of  Gold 285 

Camp  Coidwater,  (Ft.  Snelling) 177 

Cameron,  Hon.  J.  Don,— mentioned 294 

Cameron,  Hon.  Simon,  referred  to 197 

Campbell,  Colin,  a  Sioux  trader 172, 173 

Campbell,  A.  J .,  a  half-breed 400 

Duncan,  an  early  resident  of  Mendota 278 

Hypolite,  government  blacksmith 403 

John,  a  half-breed 403 

Joseph,  inlerpi eter  to  Dakotas 403,  40G,  605 

Scott,  United  States  Interpreter 225,  229 

Camp  Release,  Minnesota 126 

Canada,  various  references  to 168, 172, 173,  349 

its  proposed  ship  canal  at  Sault  Ste  Marie 348 


IKDEX.  411 

Canadian  Fur  Traders  pillaged  by  Indians 7 

Canadian  Pacific  Railroad ^  ....  351 

Canals  at  Sault  Ste  Marie 347 

Cannon  River,  Minn  248,  250, 259,  261 

Cape  Gros,  Lake  Superior 352 

Cape  Iroquois.  Lake  Superior 352 

Captain  Scott's  Coon,  the  story  ef 185 

Captivities  among  Indians,  narratives  of . .  35 

Captives  taken  by  Indians, 83, 84, 100, 126,  280, 389,  390 

Carli.Dr.C,  of  Stillwater 208 

Carrington,  Col.,  U.  S.  A 286 

Carver,  Jonatlian.  mentioned 4, 15, 69, 148, 160,  346 

Cars,  first  train  of,  at  Ft.  Snelling 105 

Cass,  Lewis,  mentioned . .  277,  345 

Castle,  Hon.  Henry  A.,  reference  to 58 

Catalogue,  of  works  relating  to  Minnesota 13 

Catholicity,  in  Minnesota 222 

Catlin,  George,  the  Indian  painter 34 

Cavenaugh,  Hon.  James  M.,  of  Minnesota  referred  to 32 

Cedar  River,  Minnesota,  (or  "Red  Cedar") 257,  260,  264 

Cemeteries  mentioned 219,  327, 360 

Chagoucmig,  Lake  Superior 339 

Chambers,  Col.,  of  the  American  riflemen 176 

Champlain,  Samuel,  the  French  navigator 335 

Cha-pah-sin-tay,  J .  B.  Faribault's  wife 177, 178 

Charleville,  a  Canadian,  visits  St.  Anthony  Falls 3 

Charlevoix,  the  historian,  quoted 2.  I2, 15 

Chase,  Hon.  Salmon  P.,  reference  to 316 

Chaska.  a  loyal  Dakota       269 

Chatfield,  Hon.  A.  G.,  referred  to 26 

Chetanmaza,  rescuer  of  Miss  Gardner 396, 400 

Cheyennes,  the : . . .  283,  284 

Chicago,  111.,  mentioned 167,214,215,232 

Child,  James  E.,  his  history  of  Waseca  county,  mentioned 28 

Chillicothe,  O.,  mentioned 370, 373, 374 

China,  overland  route  to,  predicted l 

Chippewa  Falls,  Wis 228 

Chippewa  River,  Wis 130 

Minn 134,360 

Chippewas.    See  Ojib was 

Chivington,  Col.,  U.S.  A 285 

Chouteau,  Pierre  &  Co.,  St.  Louis 196, 344 

Church,  first  built  at  Lac  qui  Parle 119 

first  built  at  St.  Paul 227,229,230 

Presbyteriau  organized  at  Fort  bnelling 116 

Churches  organized  among  Dakotas 380, 381 

history  of  in  Minnesota 53 

Churchill  River,  British  North  America 339 

Clarke,  Mrs.  Cnarlotte  A.,  mentioned 77,  IO5 

Malcolm,  sketch  of 79 

Clarke,  Maj.  Nathan,  commissary  at  Fort  Snelling -...77, 155 

Gov.  William,  Supt.  Indian  Affairs 150, 163 

Clarksville,  Mo 141,143,159 

Clayton  county,  Iowa 265 

Clejgymau,  the  profession  of 301,307 

45 


412  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

Clewett  James  R.,  an  old  settler  of  Minnesota 209 

Cloth,  the  first  woven  in  Minnesota llO 

Coast  Survey 349 

Coe,  Rev.  Alvin,  a  missionary 115, 116 

Coffin,  C.  C.  of  Boston,  his  works  noticed 24,  48 

Coincidence,  a,  by  Mrs.  C.  O.  Van  Cleve 103 

Cold  Weather  in  Minnesota,  described  by  Penicaut 9 

Coleson,  Miss  Anna,  her  captivity  among  the  Indians. . .  35 

Coloney.  Myron,  author  of  a  work 59 

Colorado,  noticed 255 

Columbus,  Ohio,  noticed : 32i 

Columbia,  Oregon,  mentioned 342 

Columbia  River,  Oregon,  mentioned 284 

Comets,  a  prophecy  of  disaster 145 

Commerce  of  Lake  Superior 347 

Common  School  Fund  of  Minnesota 331 

Comstock,  Gen.  C.  B.,  of  the  British  Engineer  Corps 348 

Connecticut, 358,  367,  373 

Constitutional  Convention,  Iowa 234 

Minnesota 34,202,215,279,331 

Cooke,  Jay,  a  capitalist,  mentioned 351 

Cooper,  David,  an  early  Jurist  of  Minnesota 267 

Copper  implements,  aboriginal 334, 362 

Copper  mine,  mentioned  by  Penicaud 5,  8, 10, 11 

Copper  mines  on  Lake  Superior 340 

Corey,  Miss  Julia,  (afterwards  Mrs.  Bailly.) 319 

Corning,  Hon.  Erastus,  of  N.  Y.,  mentioned 347 

Cotean  des  Prairies,  Dakota  Ter 87,  247,  248, 260,  380 

Cottonwood  trees,  great  size  of,  mentioned  by  Penicaud 9 

Cottonwood  river,  Minnesota 250 

Couriers  des  bois,  or  voyageurs,  which  see 

Counties  of  Minnesota,  histories  of 26 

Cowardice  of  the  Dakotas 162 

Cjursolle,  Joe,  a  half-breed  guide 390 

Courts,  early,  in  Minnesota 267 

Craig,  Captain  Thos.  E.,  censured 139, 145 

Crawford,  Mr.  agent  N.  W.  Fur  Co 171,173 

Crawford,  Capt.  of  the  Virginia,  first  steamer  at  Ft;  Snelling 103 

Crawford  county.  Wis  210 

Crazy  Horse,  a  Dakota  chief 290, 291 

Cretin,  Bishop,  reference  to 223,269 

Crockett,  David,  mentioned 184 

Crook,  Gen.  G.,  mentioned  291,292 

Crooks,  Ramsey,  the  fur  trader 194,  278,  343 

Crooks,  Col.  Wm.,  of  St.  Paul 280,  343,  344 

Crow  Creek,  D.  T ••• 381 

Crow  Wing,  Minnesota • .236 

Crow  Wing  river,  Minnesota 345 

Crows,  the 293 

Crittenden,  J.  D.    A  fur  trader 344 

Cruger,  Capt,  Wm.  E.,  mentioned 76 

Culver,  George,  a  fur  trader 235,  318 

Culver,  J.  B„  mentioned 350 

Cumberland  House,  British  North  America 389 

Cunningham,  H  D.,  mission  assistant 125 

Curtis,  Gen.  S.  R,,  mentioned 282 


INDEX.  413 

Custer,  Gen.  Geo.  A.,  mentioned 288, 292, 293 

Dacau,  or  D'Ako,  Sicur,  met  by  Duluth 2 

Dahkota,  a  town  site  on  tlie  St.  Croix 209,211 

Dakotas,  the,  or  Sioux,  tlieir  probable  European  origin 384 

Dakotas,  the  largest  and  most  warlike  tribe  in  1680 374 

Dakotas,  probably  visited  by  Frenchmen  as  early  as  1659 1 

Dakotas,  referred  to  by  Penicaut 5, 6,  7,  8 

the  various  nations  of,  according  to  Penicaut 6, 7 

the  Missouri  River  tribes  of 283 

the  Tetons,  or  Tintoaha 284,  375,381 

the  Cheyennes 283,  284 

the  Mdewakantonwans 85,  86,  250, 251, 387 

the  Sissetons 11,  83,84.86,250 

the  Yanktons 167, 171, 174,  284,  285,  397,  398, 400 

the  Wa-pe-kutes 84,99, 172,250 

follow  Jewish  customs 162 

assisted  the  British  during  the  war  of  1812 152 

their  feud  with  the  Ojibwas,  its  origin 338 

goods  shipped  to  them  as  early  as  1819, 140 

names  of  their  principal  chiefs  in  1834 2*50 

their  warfare  with  their  enemies 129, 147 

their  fright  at  the  first  steamboat 104 

their  removal  to  the  Upper  Minnesota  in  1853 317 

removed  from  the  State  after  the  massacre 242, 269 

gradual  change  in  their  habits 124 

they  begin  to  learn  agriculture  and  weaving l...  19 

their  customs,  etc.    How  they  conducted  hunts 259,261 

"  "  •'       theirfeasts 258 

"  *'  •'        "know  nothing  about  Intrigue." 161 

•'  "  "        "celebrated  for  hospitality." 161 

"  *'  *'        their  religious  views 189 

"  "  "        authority  and  law,  how  enforced  among  them — 251 

'•  "  "        agriculture  amongst  them 251 

their  grief  at  Rev.  G.  H.  Pond's  death 371 

"  '•  **        their  war  customs 135 

"  *'  •*        customs  regarding  bodies  of  slain 253 

"  "  "       their  cowardice 162 

"  "  '•       nose-biting  one  of  their  pastimes 100 

"  "  "        "a  ti'oublesome  set  of  beggars." 147,148 

"  "  "        "a  poor,  indolent,  beggarly,  drunken  set." 161 

"     *    "  "       their  honesty 381 

"  "  "        their  mode  of  conducting  hunts 255,258 

"  "  "       how  they  cure  disease 190 

"  ••       their  treatment  of  women;  polygamy.  89,118, 188, 189 

,'  "  "        opposed  to  education 121 

"          *'          "       those  "civilized"  enfranchised  by  act  of  legis- 
lature   112 

they  kill  the  missionaries  cattle 118,377 

"  '•  "       their  medioine  men  and  their  influence 368 

•*  "         ••        religious  movements  among  them 376 

no  missionary  work  among  them  'till  1834 359 

beginning  of  missionary  work  among  them 373 

history  of  the  Dakota  M  isslon 115.  368 

the  first  male  Dakota  convert 188 

baptism  of  250  or  300  Dakotas  in  prison 127, 379 

Dakota  churches  on  the  Missouri  river 380,  381 


4U  MIKKESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

Dako tas,  the  christian  Dakotas  saved  many  lives  in  1862 191 

Bibliography  of  works  relating  to  the  nation 34,  37 

printing  of  Dakota  books 120 

demand  for  reading  matter,  by  educated  Dakotas 128 

the  language  first  reduced  to  writing lio,  268 

the  Dakota  Grammar  and  Dictionary 40, 123,  375 

learning  and  translating  the  language,  by  the  missionaries. .  .361, 366.  367 

the  massacre  of  1862,  by  the  Dakotas,  see  Massacre,  etc 

Dakota  county,  Minnesota,  referred  to 28, 210,  260 

Dakota  Friend,  the,  a  missionary  paper 39,  357 

Dakota  Presbytery 122,361,362.368,380 

Dakota  Territoiy 274,275,279,280,282 

Daniels,  Dr.  J.  W.,  agent  for  the  Dakotas 89,102.291,294 

D:ivenport,  Geo.  L. ,  of  Davenport,  Iowa 142 

Davenport,  Iowa,  mentioned 128,  280,  379,  380, 381 

Davis,  Ex-Governor  C.  K 323,  326.  328 

Davi^,  Jefferson,  once  secretary  of  war 48 

Deban,  an  interpreter  for  J.  B.  Faribault 171 

De  Camp,  Mrs.,  a  rescued  captive 126 

Dechoquette,  an  earlY  Canadian  resident  of  Minnesota 235,236 

Declaration  of  Independence 351 

De  Coteaux,  a  Canadian,  killed, 172 

Du  Luth,  (or  De  Luth)  Capt.  J 350 

Denny,  Captain  of  U.  S.  Infantry 185 

Denton,  Rev.  M.,  (or  Dentan)  a  Swiss  missionary 117,269 

Denton,  Mrs.  Persis 117 

Department  of  Dakota,  referred  to 280 

D'Eraque,  M.,  a  Canadian  fur  ti-ader 10 

De  Salsbury,  a  British  officer 169 

Des  Moines  Rapids,  Iowa 158 

Des  Moines  River,  Iowa 171, 174,  254, 386,  38^ 

Detroit,  Mich.,  mentioned 139, 141 ,  163,  277,  278 

Devil's  Lake ,  D.  T 254,  282 

Dickinson,  Daniel  S.,  mentioned 315 

Dickson,  Col.  Robert,  a  British  fur  trader 150, 166 

Dike,  Wm.  H.,  Major  1st  Minnesota  Volunteers 322 

Divol,  Mr.,  a  victim  of  the  massacre  of  1862 113 

Dixon,  111 215 

Dodge  Henry,  Governor  of  Wisconsin 202 

Donnelly,  Hon.  Ignatius,  of  Minnesota 21,  59,  94 

Douglas,  Hon.  Stephen  A.,  referred  to 321,  322 

Dousman,  Hercules  L.,  memoir  of 192,  278 

Michael 192,278 

Draper,  Dr.  L.  C,  of  Wisconsin,  foot  notes  by 139, 140, 143, 150, 158, 160, 163. 167 

Driftwood  River,  [the  Zombro?] 152 

Drowning  of  various  persons 39,  55, 121, 123, 150, 186,  350, 361,  362 

Drummond's  Island,  Lake  Superior 170, 173 

Du  Boucher,  La  Perriere,  lands  at  Lake  Pepin, 3 

Dubuque,  Iowa,  mentioned •. 223, 224 

Du  Buque,  Julian,  proprietor  of  lead  mines 144, 174, 175 

Duel  between  Crawford  and  Campbell 173 

Scott  and  Keith....  181 

DuLuth,  Daniel  G.,  leaves  Quebec  in  1678,  &c 2,374 

Duluth,  town  of .30,  349,  350,  351,  354 

Eagle,  a  Dakota  Chief 32o 

Eagle  Head,  a  Dakota  chief 32o 


INDEX.  415 

Eastman,  Mrs.  Mary,  authoress : 34 

Eastman,  Capt.  Setli,  U.  S.  A 34,36  235 

Edgerton,  E.  S.,  of  St.  Paul .V  ".'.V. . .'. . .'.  92 

Education,  the,Dakotas  opposed  atone  time 121 

Eggleston,  Miss  Cordelia,  (Mrs.  S.  W.  Pond) 118 

Election  of  Delegate  to  Congress 237 

Elk,  herds  of  500  once  seen 258 

Ellet,  Mrs.  E,  F.,  her  works  quoted 277 

Elliot,  the  apostle  to  the  Indians 351 

Ellison.  W.  W.,  mentioned 109 

El  Pinal,  Mexico,  battle  of    315 

Emerson,  Chas.  L.,  referred  to 237 

Emmett,  Lafayette,  flrst  Chief  Justice  of  the  State .237 

End-of-the-snake,  a  Yankton  Indian 398 

Evansville,  Ind.,  mentioned 324 

Ewings,  W.  G.  and  G.  W.,  Winnebago  traders 234 

Execution  of  Indian  murderers  at  Ft.  Snelling 81 

Execution  of  Indian  murderers  at  Maukato 127 

Explorations,  early,  in  northwest 13,  243 

Fairbanks.  John  H.,  an  early  trader  with  the  OJibwas 344 

Fairbanks,  Joseph,  contractor  on  Sault  Canal 347 

Falls  of  St.  Anthony 131, 132, 133, 193,367 

Faribault,  Alex,  (son  of  J.   B.   F.). . . .  173,  178,  225,  228,  248,  251,  254,  256,  257,  260, 

261,  265,  319 

Faribault,  Bartholomew,  (father  of  J.  B.  F.) 168, 172 

Faribault,  David,  (son  of  J.  B.  F.) 178 

Faribault,  Jean  Bte.,  his  memoir,  etc 168.247 

Faribault,  Miss  Lucy,  (Mrs.  Alexis  Bailly.) 319 

Faribault,  Oliver,  (son  of  J.  B.  F.) 178 

Faribault,  town  of 52,  54, 173, 178,  250, 297 

Faribault  county 29 

Farrington,  John,  a  trader 319 

Feasts,  of  the  Dakotas 258 

Featherstonhaugh,  G.  W.  the  Geologist 11,18 

Fetterman,  Lieutenant  Col.,  massacre  of 287 

Fillmore  county,  history  of,  mentioned 26 

First  church  among  the  Dakotas .376 

bell  in  Minnesota 119 

cloth  made  in  Minnesota 119 

house  in  Hennepin  county 360 

Minnesota  Regiment 217,  322,  329 

Presbyterian  church  in  Minnesota 116 

sermon  (Protestant)  in  St.  Paul 378 

Flske,  Captain  J.  L.,  his  expedition  to  Idaho 32 

Five  Million  Loan 324 

Flandrau,  Hon.  Chas.  E 83,  93,  280,  386,  388 

his  paper  on  the  Inkpaduta  massacre 386 

Fletcher,  Gen.  J.  E.,  Winnebago  agent 234 

Flood  in  the  Mississippi  River  in  1822 177 

Folle  Avoines,  (IMenomonees) . .  146 

Folwell,  Col.  W.  W.,  inaugurated  President  of  State  University...... 58 

Fond-du-Lac,  Minnesota 345,350 

Forbes,  Wm.  H 248,254,256,257,319 

Forsyth,  Major  Thos.,  Indian  agent 139, 140, 143 

Forsyth,  Wiiliam,  (father  of  Maj.  T.  Forsyth) 139 

Forsyth,  Robt,  (sou  of  do) 140 


416  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

Fort  Beauharnois, erected  on  Lake  Pepin,  1727 3,6 

built  by  Le  Sueur  in  1695,  on  Isle  Pelee 2 

C.  F.  Sniitli,  mentioned 286, 287 

Deaborn,  at  Chicago • 183 

Dodge.  Iowa 400 

Edwards. 141, 159, 167 

George,  Oregou 342 

Laramie 285,  292 

L'Huilller,  built  by  Le  Sueur  in  1700 7,  10 

Lyon 285 

Micliilimackinac,  Mich 339 

Niagara 339 

Phil.  Kearney 286,287 

Pierre 407 

Randall 407 

Reno 286 

Ridgely,  Minn 113,  211,  274,  280,  319,  390 

Rupert,  Hudson's  Bay  Territory 1 

St.  Nicholas,  built  at  mouth  of  Wisconsin  River 2 

Ft.  Suelling,  mentioned,  27,  29,  76.  78,  103,  111,  115,  117,  120,  127,  128,  130,  131,  132, 
139,  176,  177. 183,  185,  190.  201,  209.  224.  225,  226,  235,  245,  258,  279,  282,  319,  320, 

351,  359,  361,  364,  367,  368,  369,  373,  374,  378,  406 

Fort  Sully,  D.  T 282 

Sumpter,  fall  of 311, 322 

Thompson,  D.T 28,280 

Wadsworth 99, 101, 102,  211 

Fort  Wise,  Kansas 285 

Fort  William,  Lake  Superior 342,  350, 351 

Foster,  Dr.  John  W..  the  Geologist 350 

Fountain  Cave,  St.  Paul .^..210,227 

Foxes,  the  nation  of H,  142, 146, 148, 174, 178 

France,  mentioned 223,  229 

Franklin,  Benjamin 343, 353 

Frazer,  Joseph  Jack,  a  well  known  half-breed 130, 255,  257 

Free  Masonry,  mentioned 297 

Freeboi-n,  Hon.  William,  of  Red  Wing 387 

Freeborn  county,  named  from  Hon.  Wm.  Freeborn 387 

Fremont,  J.  C.  the  explorer 254,  256,  257 

French,  the.  urged  to  open  trade  hither  in  1660 1 

military  officers  of  the  seventeenth  century 243 

the,  were  the  earliest  settlers 337, 351 

French,  F.  B„  the  historian 14, 15 

Fresniere,  Antoine  D.,  killed  by  the  Dakotas 4i 

Fresnier's  son,  a  Dakota 100 

Fronteuac,  de,  Conipte,  mentioned 335,350,351 

Funerals,  noticed 97,  219,  325,  371 

Fur  companies,  northern 345 

American 176, 102,  193,  196,  224,  378, 343,  344,  374 

Hudson  Bay  Co 340,  341 

Northwest 169,  170,  173,  174, 176,  340,  343,  346,  348 

Canada,  wars  of,  etc 340,  341 

Furs,  used  as  circulating  medium 339 

Fur  trade,  by  the  early  French  traders 6 

Fur  trade,  profit  s  of 339 

on  Lake  Superior 345 

prices  in  1700 10 


INDEX.  417 

Fur  trade  in  Minhesota 245 

general  references  to , 171, 193^  196 

Gale,  George,  his  book  noticed 23 

Gale,  Dr.  John,  surgeon  U.  S.  A 18i,  182,183 

Galena,  111.,  mentioned 214,  358 

Gallic,  Rev.  Lucian,  memoir  of,  etc 178,  222,  269 

Game,  in  Minnesota,  abundance  of 194, 195, 265 

Gardner,  Miss  Abigail,  taken  prisoner  by  Inkpaduta's  band..  .83, 100,  388,  398, 

399,  402,  404 

Gardner,  Mr.,  father  of  Abigail 389 

Garvie,  Stewart  B.,  victim  of  the  massacre  of  1862 400 

Gates,  General,  of  the  Revolutionary  war 372 

Gauntlet,  running  the 79 

Gavin,  Rev,  Daniel,  a  Swiss  missionary 116, 118,269 

Geology  of  Lake  Superior 334,  349 

of  Minnesota,  works  on 18,  22 

Gei-vais,  Benj.  and  Pierre,  pioneers 226,  227, 228 

Gibbon,  Gen.  John,  U.  S.  A 292 

Gilbert,  Humphrey,  the  navigator 1« 

Gilfillan,  Hon.  James,  mentioned 297 

Gillam,  Captain,  visits  river  Nemiscan l 

Gillespie,  Mr.,  an  early  Indian  trader 180,343 

Gilman,Hon.  JohnM.,  mentioned 326 

Glencoe,  Minnesota,  mentioned 274 

Gooding,  Mrs.  Capt.  George,  an  early  resident  ef  Minnesota 165 

Goodhue,  James  M.,  first  publisher  in  Minnesota 66,  210, 203,  273 

County,  mentioned 29 

Goodiich,  Hon.  Aaron,  foot  note  by 271 

Col.  Earle  S.,  paper  contributed  by 295 

do,  mentioned 21,31,45,46,63,65,203,204 

Good  Road,  a  Dakota  Chief 132,134 

Gordon,  Hon.  H.  L.,  mentioned 58 

Gorman,  David  L.,  (father  of  W.  A.) 314 

E.  Stone,  mentioned,  (father  of  W.  A.) 324 

James  W.,  (son  of  W.  A.) 324 

Capt.  R.  F.,  ao 324 

Willis  A.,  memoir  of ,  &c 62. 314 

Governors  of  Minnesota,  memoirs  of.  Swift 91 

•'  Gorman 314 

Medary 321 

•'    appointment  of 316,  321 

Grace,  Rt.  Rev.  Thos.,  Bishop  of  St.  Paul 56,225,325 

Grand  Encampment,  (Tepoeotah)  Minnesota 153 

Marals,  (Kaposia)  which  see 

Portage 340,341,347,350,361 

River,  Michigan 169 

Grant  of  land  by  Dakotas  at  Ft.  Snelling 177 

for  ship  canal  at  the  Sault 347 

Grant  Gen.  U.  S.,  referred  to 289 

Great  Slave  Lake,  British  North  America,  mentioned 341 

Great-Tailed-Eagle,  a  friendly  Dakota  Chief 87,  89 

Green  Bay,  Wisconsin,  mentioned 147, 148, 163,351 

Green  River,  (or  Blue  River)  mentioned  by  Penicaut...  7 

Grey  Cloud,  or  "  Medicine  Wood  "  Island,  mentioned 153, 155,  202.  209,  267 

Griffith,  T.  M.,  Hydrographical  Survey 27 

Grosellier,  an  early  explorer, 1 


418  MINN^ESOTA  HISTOEICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

Guerin,  Vetal,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Minnesota 226,227,228 

Hail-that-strikes-itself,  a  Dakota  cliief 88 

Hall,  H.  P.,  a  publisher 45,  60,  69 

Hamline  University,  mentioned .51, 56,  60 

Hannibal,  Missouri,  mentioned 141 

Hanchett,  A.  H.,  the  Geologist,  mentioned 350 

Hancock,  John,  referred  to 351 

Hancock,  Joseph  W.,  a  pioneer  missionary 122 

Hanse,  Mr.,  Supt.  of  Indian  Affairs,  mentioned 173 

Harmon,  D.  W.,  his  book  of  travels  mentioned 346,  347,  348 

Harney,  Gen.  W.  S,.  U.  S.  A.,  mentioned 285,288 

Harrison,  Gen.  Wm.  H.,  mentioned 170 

Hastings,  Minnesota,  referred  to 26 

Hays.  Sargent  John,  a  pioneer  of  St.  Paul 279 

Hazlewood.  Minnesota,  mentioned 48, 109, 119, 124, 125, 126,  378 

Heard,  Hon.  Isaac  V.  D.  his  history  quoted 34,  61 

Heaton,  Miss  Clara,  (Mrs.  Cyrus  Aldrich.) 214 

Heights  of  lakes,  computed 349 

Helena,  Ark.,  mentioned 329 

Henderson,  Capt.,  commander  of  British  Gunboat 175 

Henderson,  Minnesota,  mentioned 102, 111,203,211 

Honnepin,  Louis,  references  to 2,  3, 14,  28, 161,  370 

county  of,  mentioned 356, 364 

Henry,  Alexander,  the  explorer,  mentioned 339, 346, 347 

Hewitt,  Girart,  his  emigration  documents  meationed . .  23 

Hiawatha,  the  poem  of,  quoted  from 256 

Hicks,  Rev.  Mr.,  a  Presbyterian  Clergyman 127 

Hildreth's  History  of  the  United  States,  quoted 277 

Hill,  Alfred  J.,  of  St.  Paul,  translator  of  Pimcaud's  MS 4 

Hinman,  Rev.  S.  D.,  translator  of  Prayer-book  into  Dakota 42, 127,  269 

His-Thunder,  (or  Chaska)  a  Dakota,  who  saved  Spencer's  life 86 

Hitchcock,  an  Illinois  ruffian 145 

Hodges,  Hon.  L.  B.,  an  early  settler  of  Olmsted  county 234 

Hole-in-the-Day,  the  Ojibwa  Chief 36,  66, 130, 131, 134.  361 

Honorie,  T.,  United  States  Interpreter,  St.  Louis 166 

Hopkins,  Rev.  Robert,  a  missionary 39, 121, 122, 123, 128, 269,  361,  362,  368,  370 

Mrs.  (Agnes  C.  Johnson) 361, 362,  363,  370 

Miss  M?rv  F.,  (daughter  of  Rev.  R.  H.) 128, 362 

Houghton,  Dr.  Douglass,  geologist,  mentioned 349 

Houston  county,  Minnesota,  referred  to 26 

Hudson's  Bay  Company,  mentioned 340,  341 

Huggins,  Alex  G.,  missionary  farmer ; 115, 118, 119, 122, 268,  374 

AmosW.,  killed  by  the  Dakotas 41, 125 

Miss  Fannie,  assistant  missionary 121, 122 

Hughes,  James,  a  pioneer  printer  of  Minnesota 273 

Humantala,  Mexico,  battle  of 315 

Hunter,  Gen.  David,  U.  S.  A.,  at  Ft.  Snelling 104 

Hunting,  in  early  days,  in  Minnesota  183, 194, 195,  254 

Hunts,  how  conducted  by  the  Dakotas 259,261 

Hupacomaza,  a  f rieadlv  Dakota  chief 89 

Hydography,  of  Lake  Superior 348 

of  the  upper  Mississippi,  works  on 33 

lapi-Oaye,  ("the  word  carrier.)    A  Dakota  religious  paper 358 

Illinois,  State  of ,  mentioned 213,219 

river,  mentioned 140 

Immigration  documents,  Minnesota 19,  25 


INDEX.  419 

Indiana,  State  of,  referred  to 3i5,  361 

Indian  war,  of  18G4. . 285 

question,  the ...283 

tribes  of  Minnesota,  works  relating  to 34 

"  '*       see  "Dalcotas,"  "Ojibwas," '"Winnebagos,"  etc 

Indians,  of  New  York,  referred  to 123 

of  Massachusetts,  Elliot,  the  apostle,  first  preaches  to  them 351 

of  Lake  Superior,  two  centuries  ago 336 

management  of,  by  Gov.  Gorman 318 

warfare  in  Minnesota,  article  by  S.  W.  Pond 129 

American  and  British  systems  of  mauagiug 162 

revenge  for  refusal  of  credit  by  a  trader 247 

their  stealthiness  and  caution  while  on  the  war  path 138, 403,  404 

their  etiquette  about  eating 248 

their  warfare  generally  not  sanguinary 137 

their  stolidity       404 

industrial  education  of  the  Dakotas 119 

Inkpaduta,  or  Spirit  Lake  massacre 386 

the  outlaw  chief,  mentioned 83, 100,  386,  387, 407 

his  son  killed  by  Col.  Flandrau's  party 407 

Iowa,  State  of,  referred  to 223,  222, 234,  265, 274.  279,  280, 386 

lowas,  the  tribe  of,  referred  to 5, 141, 142, 167, 174,  283,  284 

Ireland,  Rt.  Rev.  .fohn.  Coadjutor  Bishop  of  St.  Paul 223,  312,  325,  327 

Iroquois  Indians,  mentioned 336 

Isantis,  the 251 

Isle  Pelee,  or  Bald  Island,  a  fort  built  on 2,6 

Isle,  Royal,  Lake  Superior 353,  355 

Jackson ,  Andrew,  President  of  the  United  States 79 

Henry,  a  pioneer  settler  of  St.  Paul 228 

James  Bay,  British  North  America ^ 350 

James  River,  D.  T,,  mentioned 401 

Janson,  Dr.  De  Forbin,  Catholic  Bishop 226 

Jefferson,  Thomas,  quoted 294 

Jenney,  Charles 402,403 

Jesuit  Missionaries,  mentioned 243. 334 

Jewett  Family,  near  Mankato,  murder  of 380, 403 

Jewish  customs  among  the  Indians 162 

Jo  Daviess  county.  111.,  mentioned 214 

Jogues,  Father  Isaac,  (a  Jesuit  missionary) 335,  336, 351, 355 

Johnson,  Gen.  Albert  Sidney,  U.  S.  A.,  mentioned 397 

Johnson,  Edw.  F.,  civil  engineer,  his  wrltmgs 49,50 

Johnson  Miss  Agnes  C.  (Mrs.  Robt.  Hopkins) 361, 362,  363,  370 

Joliet,  Ills.,  mentioned 213 

Journalism  in  Minnesota 203,  237, 273 

Joseph  (Nape-shnee).    See  Napeshnee-dota 

Juchereau,  M.,  Criminal  Judge  at  Montreal 11 

Jusserat,  or  Juchereau,  referred  to  by  Penicaud 3 

Justice's  court  in  early  days 266,  267 

Kaibokah,  a  Dakota  Chief 133 

Kamnistiqua  River,  Lake  Superior 350 

Kandiyohi,  Minnesota,  region  of 134,  274 

Kankakee. 111.,  mentioned '• 170 

Kansas,  State  of,  mentioned 315. 321 

Kaposia  (Grand  Marias),  or  Little  Crow  village,  122,  133,  134,133,  165,  189,  250 

251,266.378,382 

Kearney,  Gen.  S.  W.,U.  S.  A 287 


420  MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS. 

Keating,  Wm.  H.,  his  work  quoted 11, 16, 185 

Kee-e-Hei,  *'  the  man  that  flies,"  a  Dakota  Chief 318 

Keith,  a  duelist,  his  encounter  with  Capt.  Scott 181, 182, 183 

Keel  boats,  used  in  transportation  in  early  days 140 

Keeseville,  N.  Y..  mentioned. 304,  308 

Kent,  Rev.  Aratus,  a  pioneer  Clergyman  at  Galena 358 

Kentucky.  State  of,  mentioned 295,  314,  373 

Keokuk,  Iowa,  mentioned 229 

Kerr,  Rev.  A.  H.,  eulogizes  Gov.  Swift 97 

Kettle,  a  Fox  Chief,  mentioned l46 

Killiew,  a  Dakota  Chief ,  mentioned l54 

King,  Hon.  Wm.  S.,  of  Minneapolis,  mentioned 359 

Kinzie,  Jno.  H.,  an  early  trader  at  Cliicago 139 

Kittson,  N.  W.,  a  pioneer  of  Minnesota : 248,  339 

Knickerbocker,  Dr.,  an  army  surgeon 102 

Labathe,  Francois,  an  early  trader  in  Minnesota 248 

LaChappelle,  grand-son  of  Campbell 173 

Lac  qui  Parle,  Minnesota,  mentioned. .  .39,  41,  99, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 

123, 124,  125,  130,  132,  134,  188, 191,  247,  268,  360,  367,  380,  382, 393,  374,  376,  376,  377 

La  Framboise,  Joseph,  a  half-breed 247,  248,  390 

La  Harpe's,  Louisiana,  referred  to 3 

La  Hontan,  Barou,  his  book 14 

Lake  Athabasca,  British  North  America 341 

Lake  Calhoun,  Minnesota 115, 117, 134,  250,  268, 359, 365, 3R7,  374 

Lake  Chan-pta-ya-tan-ka,  mentioned 393 

Lake  Harriet,  mentioned 116, 117,  118, 131, 132, 136, 365,  377 

Lake  Hmron,  mentioned 349 

Lake  Itasca.  Minnesota,  mentioned 349 

Lake  Micliigan,  mentioned 5, 183,  349 

Lake  Ontario,  mentioned 349 

Lake  Pepin,  Minnesota 5, 148, 153, 156, 194, 196,  245,  249, 266, 365 

Lake  of  the  Woods,  mentioned 248 

Lake  Saint  Croix 249 

Lake  Superior,  mentioned 1, 153, 161, 166,  243,  246,  248,  333,  337 

Lake  Superior,  the  Ojibwa  name  of 337 

Gen.  J.  H.  Baker's  paper  on 333 

Lake  Travers,  Minnesota,  mentioned 247,  250 

Lake  Winnipeg,  reached  by  Veranderie,  in  1734 3 

Lakewood  Cemetery,  Minneapolis 219, 360 

Lamprey.  Morris,  a  lawyer  of  St.  Paul 326 

Lamson,  Chauncy,  kills  Little  Crow , 254 

Lancaster,  Pa.,  mentioned 201 

Lance,  tlie,  a  Sauk  chief 143, 166 

Land  grant  for  ship  canal  at  Sault 347 

Land's  End,  a  point  near  Fort  Snelling 209 

Land  sales  at  St.  Croix  Falls,  Wis.,  in  1848 244 

Lane,  Hon.  James  H.,  mentioned 315 

Lane  Ceminary,  Cincinnati 362,  370,  379.  373 

Lanman,  Charles,  liis  canoe  voyage 18 

Langlade,  M.,  a  pioneer  of  Wisconsin 339 

Language,  of  the  Dakotas ...37, 110,  268 

La  Pointe,  Mr.,  interpreter  to  J.  B.  Faribault 172 

La  Pointe,  Lake  Superior,  mentioned  246,  344,  345, 350,  351 

La  Salle,  Cavalier,  sends  Hennepin  to  Minnesota .' 2 

Law,  how  enforced  among  the  voyageurs 246 

Lawrence,  Lorenzo,  a  friendly  Dakota 86, 126 


INDEX.  421 

Lea,  Lt.  Albert  M.,  his  expedition  referred  to 17^  18 

Lead  mines  of  Dubuque 144, 145, 174 

Leaf,  the,  or'-  Wabasha,"  which  see 

Leavenworth,  Col,  Henry,  mentioned. . . .  139, 149, 154, 155, 156, 159, 164, 165, 176, 177 

Leavenworth,  Kansas a. 149 

Le  Claire,  Antoine,  early  Indian  trader 140,  226,  267,  268 

LeDuc,  W,  G.,  publisher  of  Year  Book 2o 

Lee,  Gen.  Robert  E.,  mentioned 323 

Legislature,  action  of,  on  death  of  Ex-Governor  Swift 96 

first  session  of 236,  319,  357 

Legislation  in  Territorial  days,  described 208 

Le  Seuer,  the  explorer,  mentioned 2,  5,  aW 

Lewis  &  Clarke's  exploring  expedition,  referred  to 284 

Library  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society 13 

Lincoln,  Abraham,  President,  referred  to 216,  217,  280 

Little  Falls  Creek,  Hennepin  county,  mentioned 369 

Little  Crow,  the  Dakaot  Chief.. 100, 113, 122, 124, 131,  153,  161.  162,  165,  166,  251, 

253,  263,  318,  319 

Little  Claw's  Village,  or  Kaposia,  which  see 

Little  Rapids  (of  Minnesota  River) 134, 172, 173, 174, 178, 247,  250,  386 

Little  Six  (or  Shakopee)  which  see 

Little  Six's  Village.    See  Shakopee,  town  of 

Livingston,  Miss  Ruth  (Mrs.  Henry  A.  Swift) 92 

London,  England,  referred  to 353 

Long,  Steve,  and  Bro.,  hotel-keepers  at  St.  Paul 399 

Long,  Maj.  Stephen  H.,  U.  S.  A 16,  68, 185 

Longfellow,  H.  W.,  his  "  Hiawatha"  quoted 256 

Longfoot,  a  Dakota  Indian,  mentioned 133 

Longiey,  Thos.  L.,  a  missionary  assistant. .  .• 121 

Long  Prairie,  Minnesota,  mentioned 234, 235 

Loomis,  Col.  Gustavus,  mentioned 116,117 

Loras,  Bishop  of  Dubuque .' 223, 224, 228 

Lord,  Mr.,  a  resident  of  Meudota  in  1840 225 

Lorenzo  (Lawrence)  a  friendly  Dakota 86, 126 

Louis  XVI.,  King  of  France,  mentioned 352 

Louisiana,  history  of 14, 15 

Louisianaville,  Mo.,  town  of 141 

Lower  Sioux  agency 111,113,125,269 

Lowry,  Gen.  S.  B.,  appointed  Adjutant  General  of  Minnesota 316 

Loyola,  Ignatius,  mentioned 335 

Lucie  G.,  United  States  Interpreter 144 

Ludden,  Hon.  J.  D..  author  of  Chamber  of  Commerce  reports 63 

Lumbermen,  pioneer,  of  Minnesota 210 

Lumber  business,  notices  of 270 

Lynd,  Hon.  J.  W.,  memoir  of 107 

Lynd,  Rev.  S.  W.,  D.  D.,  mentioned 107 

McCall,  Col.,  a  British  officer 175 

McClung,  John  W.,  author  of  books 24,63 

McCracken,  Miss  Lavinia  (Mrs.  Martin  Scott) 186 

McDonald,  Donald,  an  early  trader 248 

McDowell,  Gen.  Irwin,  U.  S.  A.,  mentioned 322 

McKt-nzie,  an  Indian  trader  in  Indiana 270 

McLean,  Maj.  Nathaniel,  early  settler  in  Minnesota 273 

McLellan.  Gen.  Geo.  B,,  mentioned 323 

McLeod,  Martin,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Minnesota 243 

McMasters,  Dr.  James  M 297 


422.  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

McMasters,  S.  R ^ ... .298 

Rev.  Sterling  Y.,  memoir  of 295 

do,  references  to -306,  309,  323 

McNair,  Col.,  mentioned  in  Forsyth's  Journal 158 

McNides  &  Co.,  Importers,  of  Quebec 168 

Mackinac,  Mich.,  mentiftned 169, 170, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 192, 193,  278,  339 

Macomb,  Gen.  Alex,  U.  S.  A 197 

Magner,  James,  govt,  farmer  to  the  Dakotas 403 

Magruder,  Capt.  J.  B.,  U.  S.  A 320 

Ma-kpe— ya-ka-ho-ton,  a  Dakota  brave    393,  394,  395 

Maiden,  Canada,  referred  to 167 

Man-of-the-sky,  a  Dakota  chief 359 

Mandans,  nation  of 284,384 

Mankato,  Minnesota,  mentioned 27,  29  56, 126, 127, 128,  274,  280,  379,  380,  387. 

391,  403 

Manomin,  a  "rythmical  romance  on  Minnesota." 59 

Map,  the  first  ever  made  of  this  region 2 

prepared  by  Fillemon,  in  1688 2 

drawn  in  1687  by  Frauquelin,  a  French  topographer 2 

Marble,  Mrs.  Margaret  A.,  a  rescued  prisoner 380,  392,  393,  394,  395,  39^  398,  399 

Marcy,  Gen.  R,  B.,  U.  S.  A 187 

Marine,  Minnesota,  mentioned 270 

Markham,  Morris,  of  Spirit  Lake 389 

Marriages,  mentioned 117,122,128,186,360 

Marquette,  Rev.  James,  mentioned 336,  345,  351 

town  of,  mentioned 351 

Marsh  Villages,  (or  Sissetons,)  which  see 

Marshall,  Rev.  Thomas,  of  Mankato,  noticed 56 

Marshall,  Hon.  Wm.  R..  references  to 22,  49,  96,  237 

Marston,  Maj.,  U.  S.  A 148 

Martin,  Mr.,  a  resident  of  Mendota  in  1840 225 

Maryland,  State  of,  mentioned 323 

Maskoutins,  attack  some  frenchmen  at  Ft.  L'Hulllier 11 

Mason,  Gov.,  of  Michigan 347 

Masonic  works  noticed 44 

Massacre  at  Spirit  Lake,  Iowa 100,386,  389,  407 

Springfield,  Minnesota 407 

Massacre  by  Dakotas,  in  1862 34,  35, 81, 82, 93, 100, 113, 125, 191,  218.  242,  248, 

250,  251,  254,  269,  275,  279,  368,  380 

Masterson,  Henry  F 326 

Mattocks,  Gov.  John,  of  Vermont 304,308 

Mattocks,  Rev.  John,  memoirs,  or  sketches  of 304,  207,  310,  312 

John,  of  Chicago 812 

Mattson,  Hans,  author  of  emigration  documents 25 

Mazakootamane,  Paul,  a  loyal  Dakota 82, 128,  396,  400 

Maxfield,  J.  T.,  Mayor  of  St.  Paul 826 

Medewakanton wans,  tribe  of  Dakotas 85,  86,  250,  221 ,  387 

Meade,  Gen.  G.  K.,  mentioned 348 

Meat,  how  preserved  by  early  French  traders 6 

Medary,  Samuel,  Governor  of  Minnesota 321,  397,  399,  490 

Medicine  men,  Dakota 368,  376 

Medicine  Wood  (Gray  Cloud  Island),  which  see 

Mediterranean  Sea,  mentioned 352 

Meeker,  Judge  Bradley  B.,  Territorial  Supreme  Judge 271,  272 

Menomonies,  or  Folle  Avoine  band,  mentioned 146, 197 


INDEX,  423 

Mendota,  or  "  Si.  Peters,"  mentioned,  79, 138, 154, 178, 194, 195,  201,  225,  227,  228, 

229,  245,  246,  257,  258,  264, 265,  266,  267,  269.  319,  351,  365,  387 

Menonionee  River.  Wis 338 

Mesnard,  Rene,  a  Jesuit  explorer 335 

Mexican  "War  mentioned  187, 315,  326,  328 

Michigan,  State  of 265,  277, 278,  347 

Michilimackinac,  or  "Mackinac,"  wMch  see 

Miles,  General  U.  S.  A.,  mentioned 293 

Mille  Lacs,  Lake,  first  appears  on  a  map 2 

Miller,  Hon.  Stephen,  Ex-Governor  of  Minnesota 322 

Milwaukee,  Wis.,  mentioned 199,223,280 

Mineral  Point,  Wis.,  mentioned 232 

Wealth  of  Lake  Superior 354 

Mines,  ancient,  on  Lake  Superior 334 

recent,  "       340, 345 

of  Wisconsin 232 

of  Dubuq  lie,  lead 144, 145 

Minnehaha,  Falls  of 133 

Minneapolis,  City  of 27, 28,  29,  215,  218,  219,  220,  360,  367,  369 

Minnesota,  the  earliest  settlement  of 351 

the  name  probably  Ojibwa 337 

early  days  in 276 

as  described  by  Col.  Dousman  in  1834 194 

only  one  house  between  St.  Paul  and  Prairie  du  Chien  in  1834 365 

its  climate  as  described  in  1700 9 

the  first  Christian  church  organized  in 369, 374 

the  character  of  its  pioneers 244 

its  early  courts  and  incidents  thereof 267 

changes  affecting  its  boundaries,  &c 265 

organization  of  the  Territory  of 236,269,271,279 

list  of  town  and  county  histories 26 

works  descriptive  of 13, 19 

the  population  of 275 

the  scenery  of 274 

its  rapid  growth 276 

its  troops  in  the  war  of  secession 43, 275 

election  of  delegates 237,270 

see  massacre  of  1862 

some  notes  ©f  Journalism 273 

agriculture  in  "  160,269,270 

Old  Settlers  Association 239 

Editorial  Association 201 

State  geological  survey 350 

various  references. ...\ 198.  201, 202,  207, 209,  210,  215, 216 

Minnesuta  Historical  Society,  mentioned.... 37, 67, 98, 112, 124,  222, 230,  231,244, 

267,  297,  305,  336,  356,  357,  384 

Minnesota  Point.  Minnesota 350 

Minnesota  River,  mentioned 2,  7,  50,  54, 172, 177, 190,  245, 246, 247,  250,  269, 

284,  374,  386,  388,  390,  403 

Mission,  among  the  Dakotas,  success  of 119?  125,  268 

Missions,  among  Indians 37, 115 

Mississippi  River,  first  map  ever  drawn  of '• 2 

discovery  of  sources,  by  Beltrami H 

gazetteer  of ^ 

upper,  hydrography  of ^^ 


424                   MINNESOTA   HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 
Mississippi  River,  mentioned 5, 41.  !28, 151, 161 ,  171, 183, 189. 2lo,  222, 223, 

225,  226,  232,  243,  245,  250,  254,  255,  264,  267,  279,  345,  373,  386, 

Missouri  River,  mentioned 280,  282,  283,  284,  336,  349,  375,  380,  387,  407 

Mitchell,  W.  H.,  author  of  county  histories 27, 28,  29 

Molino  del  Rey,  Mexico,  battle  of 187 

Monona,  Iowa,  mentioned 231,  232,  238 

Montana.  Territory  of,  mentioned • 286,  290,  292 

Montcalm  de  Marquis,  mentioned 169 

Monterey,  Mexico,  battle  of 187 

Montreal,  Canada,  mentioned 169,  245,  246,  339,  340, 341, 343 

Mooers,  Hazen,  an  early  fur  trader .148. 157,  248 

Moore,  Geo.  W.  an  early  publisher  of  Minnesota 45, 47,  62,  65,  67 

Moore,  Thomas,  quoted 398 

Morality,  of  the  early  settlers 272 

Mormon  war,  mentioned 397 

Morrison  Allan,  an  early  fur  trader 248,  344 

"William,  an  early  fur  trader 344 

Morse,  Prof,  a  son  of,  mentioned 402,  403 

Mos«,  Fort,  mentioned 350 

Mound  Builders,  the,  mentioned 335,  384 

Monsseau,  Charles,  a  pioneer  of  Minnesota 227 

Murphy,  Maj.  R.  G.,  Indian  agent. 83, 190 

Murray,  Lieutenant  lOth  United  States  Infantry 391;  392,  402,  405,  407 

Mosquetoes,  abundance  of 144 

Myrick.  Andrew,  a  trader's  clerk, 112, 114 

Nathan,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Minnesota 319 

Name  of  Minnesota,  probably  of  Ojibwa  oriftin 337 

Napashnee,  Mary  (J.  W.  Lynd's  wife) Ill 

Nape  Schneedoota,  first  male  Dakota  Christian 128, 188 

Naudowessies,  the  Dakotas  so  called  by  Hennepin 161 

Navigation  on  Lake  Superior- 346 

Nebraska,  State  of,  mentioned 287,  292,  380 

Neill,  Rev.  E.  D . ,  paper  by 1 

reference  to  his  works,  &c 22,  34,35,39,53,55,68,305 

Nelson ,  Socrates,  a  pioneer  of  Minnesota  316 

Nepigon  Bay,  Lake  Superior 350,  353 

Nettleton,  Wm.,  an  early  resident  on  Lake  Superior 350 

New  Albany.  Indiana,  mentioned 315 

Newington .  Miss  Emily 323 

Newson ,  Maj.  T.  M. ,  of  St.  Paul 55,  63, 105 

Newspapers.    See  Journalism  in  Minnesota 

New  Ulm,  Minnesota,  mentioned _ 93,  279,  280,391 

NewY  ork,  mentioned 201.204,228,212,304,308,344 

Indians  of 123 

Niagara  Falls,  referred  te 333 

Nichosl,  Rev.  H.  M„  drowned 55 

Nicollet,  I,  N.,  the  explorer 11,  18,  36,  235,  254, 349 

Nineveh  and  Palmyra,  ref erredito 352 

Niobrara,  D.  T 381 

Noble,  Rev.  F.  A.,  mentioned 56 

Noble,  Mrs.,  taken  captive  by  Inkpaduta's  band 389,  397, 400 

Nobles,  Col.  Wm.  H.,  his  wagon  road  to  California 31 

Norris,  Hon.  James  S.,  an  early  settler  of  Minnesota 270 

North  Carolina,  mentioned : 295 

Northern  Fur  Company 345 

Northern  Pacific  Railroad 4,48,56,218,351 


INDEX.  425 

Northfield,  Minnesota,  mentioned 52 

Northwest  Fur  Companly 169, 170, 173, 174, 176,  340,  343,  346,  348 

Northwest  Territory 277 

Norwood,  Dr.  J.  G.,  the  geologist 350 

Nose-biting,  a  Dakota  pastime lOO 

Oakes,  Charles  H.,  an  early  fur  trader 248.  344 

Oak  Grove,  Minnesota,  mentioned 120, 122,  356,'  361 

Oakland  cemetery.  St.  Paul .' '.327 

O'Brien ,  Dillon,  his  book  mentioned 59 

Officer,  Mrs.  Harvey,  (Miss  Gorman.) 324 

Ogden,  Lieut.  E.  A.,  U.  S.  A '..117 

Ohio,  State  of,  mentioned  277,  350,  361,  372,  374, 375,  378 

Ohio,  River,  referred  to 3,  335 

Ohio  valley,  referred  to 3tj4 

Ojibwas,  principal  tribe  ©f  Lalce  Superior 336 

cede  land  on  Lake  Superior 345 

strategy  of 36i 

their  feud  with  the  Dakotas 129, 132,  338 

general  references  197,  248 

Oliver's  Grove,  (Hastings.) 209 

Old  Settlers  Association,  of  Minnesota 239 

Olmsted,  David,  a  pioneer  of  Minnesota 31,  210,  231 

Page,  (brother  of  David.) 231,  232 

Timothy,  (father  of  David.) 231 

Olmsted  county,  Minnesota 27,  239 

Omahas,  tribe  of 384 

One-legged  Jim.  a  Dakota  brave 99 

Oswego.  N.  Y.,  mentioned  349 

Otchaga,  a  Dakota  chief,  draws  first  map,  etc 2 

Oiher-Day,  John,  a  loyal  Dakota 99, 125,  396,  400,  404, 405 

Mrs.,  her  destitute  condition lOl 

Owen,  David  Dale,  the  Geologist 18,  350 

Owens.  John  P.,  a  pioneer  journalist  67,  273,  274 

Pacific  Ocean 351 

Pa-ju-ta-zi-zi.  (a  Yellow  Medicine,)  which  see 

Palmyra,  Missouri,  mentioned 296 

P  ilo  Alto,  battle  of 187 

Parkman,  Francis,  his  works  mentioned 14 

Parrant,  Pierre,  the  first  settler  of  St.  Paul 267 

Patten,  Major,  U.  S.  A 407 

Paul,  the  apostle,  mentioned 227,377 

Paul,  see  Mazakootemame,  Paul 

Peace  River,  British  North  America 341 

Pellamorgues,  Rev.  Joseph,  of  Dubuque iJ23,  224 

Pembina,  D.  T.,  mentioned 183, 185,  266 

Penicaut,  or  Penicaud,  author  of  Relation,  etc l,  2,  5 

Penitentiary  of  Minnesota,  reference  to 272 

Pennsylvania,  State  of 280,373 

Peoria,  111.,  mentioned 145 

Perrot,  Nicholas,  an  early  explorer 2,  6, 14 

Perry's  victory  on  Lake  Erie 352 

Petit  Rocher,  on  Minnesota  River ,. 134 

Pettijolm,  Eli,  mentioned 319 

Petti  John,  Jonas,       "       122,123 

Phelan.  Edward,  an  early  resident  of  St.  Paul 225,  226, 279 

Phelps,  Prof.  Wm.  F.,  address  by 58 


426  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

Phillips,  Wm.D,,  an  early  resident  of  St.  Paul ; 272 

Pictured  Koeks,  Lake  Superior 353 

Pie  Island,  "       353 

Pierce,  Franklin,  President  of  the  United  States 316 

Pieison.  A.  T.  C,  Masonic  works  by 44 

Pigeon  River,  Lake  Superior 1, 343,  347,  350 

Pig's  Eye  Bar,  Minnesota 227,  267 

Pike,  Gen.  Z.  M.,  U.  S,  A 16,  36, 140, 150, 155 

Pike's  Island.  Mississippi  River 176, 177 

Pilgrims  of  New  England,  landing  of 352 

Pillsbury,  John  S.,  Governor  of  Minnesota 326 

Piuichon,  a  Dakota  Chief 154, 155, 166 

Plympton,MajorU.  S.  A 225 

Poage,  Col.  James,  of  Kentucky 373 

Miss  Margaret  (Mrs,  T.  S.  Williamson) 360,  367,  373 

Miss  Sarah  (Mrs.  G.  H.  Pond) 115, 117,  360, 362,  367,  373 

Point  au  Sable,  Lake  Pepin 156,157 

Pakegama,  Minnesota : 134 

Political  Struggle  of  1859-60 112 

Poligamy  among  the  Dakotas  89, 129, 188 

Poncas,  the  tribe  of ; 334 

Pond,  Rev.  Edward  R.,  a  missionary  to  the  Dakotas 128, 362 

Mrs.  Edward  R.,  (Miss  Mary  F.  Hopkin-*) 128,362 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elnathan  J.,  (parents  of  Rev.  G.  H.) 358 

Rev.  Giaeon  H.,  memoirs  of 356 

do,     references  to,  36,  37,  39,  115,  117,  120,  122,  123,  127,  130,  268, 

362,  373,  375 

Pond,  Mrs.  G,  H.,  (Miss  Poage) 115,  117,  360,  362,  367,  370,  373 

'•    (Mrs.  Hopkins) 361,  363,  370 

Rev.  Samuel  W.,  his  papers  on  Indian  Warfare 129 

"    various  references,  37,  49,  115,  116,  118,  120,  123,  268,  358,  364 

365,  367,  373 

Pond,  Mrs.  S.  W.,  (Miss  Cordelia  Eggleston) 118 

Pope,  Gen.  John,  mentioned 19,  280,281,286,323 

Rev.  John  D.,  a  St.  Paul  Clegryman 55,62 

Portage  des  Sioux  (Mississippi  River) 140, 143, 159 

Portage,  Wisconsin,  mentioned 147 

Porter,  Gov.  Geo.  B.,  of  Michigan : 278 

Portland,  Maine,  mentioned 350 

Port  Vincent,  Indiana,  mentioned 170 

Potose,  AVisconsin,  mentioned 232 

Poitawattoniies,  tribe  of,  referred  to 170, 171 

Potter,  Rev.  Joshua, mentioned..  122, 123 

Powder  River,  Montana. 286,  287,288,291 

Prairie  du  Chien,  Wis.,  mentioned 77, 118, 140, 143, 144, 145, 157, 158, 159, 163, 

164,  165,  166,  173,  174,  175.  176,  183,  185,  192,  193,  194,  195.  197,  199,  200,  225,  226. 

228.  229,  232,  233,  245,  255,  257,  264;  265.  269,  345,  365 

Pre-historic  races,  of  Lake  Superior 334 

Prescott,  Geo.  W.,  appointed  Supt.  of  Public  Instruction 316 

Prescott,  Philander,  mentioned 36, 104,  248,  318, 390 

Prescott,  Wisconsin,  town  of 138 

Pretty  Rainbow,  a  Dakota  maiden 188 

Prince,  Hon.  John  S  ,  of  St.  Paul... 326 

Prisoners,  among  the  Indians 83,  84, 100, 126.  280,  3S9, 390 

Provencalle,  Louis,  a  trader 174,  247 

Provencher,  Rev.,  Bishop  of  St.  Boniface 229 


INDEX.  427 

Puebla,  Mexico,  battle  of 315 

Purcell,  Dr.  Edward,  surgeon  at  Ft.  Snelliiig ^"'I.!.!!!....!."!.i55 

Pusey,  Hon  Pennock,  his  statistical  repoits .22 

Quakers,  recommended  for  Indian  agents .163 

Quebec,  fall  of,  noticed \  j^  3^3 

Quinn,  Patrick,  an  interpreter  at  Ft.  Snelling .'.130 

Quash-qua-mie,  a  Sac  chief .143 

Railroads,  the  3  per  cent,  tax 316 

Railroads,  the  first  on  Lake  Superior 351 

Raimbault,  or  Raymbault,  an  early  Jesuit  explorer 335, 351  ^ 

Ramaley,  David,  a  Minnesota  publisher 45, 47,  54, 62, 68, 69  ' 

Ramsey,  Hon.  Alex,  ex-Gov.  of  Minn 58, 62, 94,  236,  271,  322,  326, 363 

Ramsey  County,  mentioned . 266 

Ramsey  County  Bar  Association 326, 32« 

Rapids  of  the  Mississippi  River 141, 144 

Rattling  Runner,  a  Dakota  brave 85 

Ravoux,  Rev.  Augustin,  an  early  missionary 42, 178,  223, 228, 269 

Rebellion,  the,  see  "  War  of  Secession" 

Red  Cloud,  a  Dakota  chief 287, 291 

Red  Iron,  a  Dakota  chief 320 

Redisson,  or  Radissou,  an  early  explorer 1 

Reed,  Mr.  an  old  hunter  in  Minnesota 257 

Relation  of  Penicaud 4 

Red  River  of  the  North,  mentioned 4, 66, 166, 226, 229,  275, 284 

Red  Wing,  Town  of 29,  51,  54, 55, 118,  130,  133,  153,  165,  250,  387 

Redwing,  a  Dakota  Chief 146,  147,148,153,165 

Red  Wood,  Iowa 171 

Red  Wood,  Minmesota,  mentioned . . ; 269,  318, 319, 320, 388,  40^ 

Red  Wood  River,  Minnesota,  mentioned 101, 113 

Religion  among  the  Daketas 380, 381 

Reminiscences  of  early  days  in  Minnesota,  (Sibley) 242 

Reno,  Capt.  J.  L.,  U.S.A 20,  293 

Renville,  J.  B.  a  Dakota  half  breed 41, 128,  380 

Renville,  A.  do  do  .128 

Renville,  Mrs.        do  do 188 

Renville,  Gabriel,  a  friendly  Sisseton  chief 89 

Renville,  Joseph,  a  Christian  Dakota 38, 116, 11&,  121. 124, 247, 374, 

375,  376,  380 

Resaca  de  la  Palma,  battle  of 187 

Revolutionary  War 372 

Rhodes,  H.  C,  a  Winnebago  Trader 234 

Rhode  Island,  State  of 213,  277 

Rice,  Hon.  H.  M.,  a  pioneer  of  Minnesota 235,  237,248,318, 

326,  344,  346,  347 

Rice,  Orrin,  a  resident  on  Lake  Superior 350 

Rice  County,  meut ioned 28 

Richardson,  an  early  trader..., — 129 

Richelieu,  Cardinal 352 

Richmond,  Virginia 323 

Riggs,  A.  L 363 

Riggs,  Mrs.  Mary  A.  L 38,40,116,120 

Riggs,  Rev.  Stephen  R.,  papers  by 107, 115, 358, 372 

Riggs,  Rev.  Stephen  R.,  mentioned 36,  37,  82, 116, 120, 123, 124, 127, 268, 

356,  357,  358,  366,  384,  393,  395,  396 

Ripley,  O.  mentioned 372,373,374 

46 


428  MINNESOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

Robertson,  D.  A.,  an  early  publisher 60,61,67,237,273,326 

Robertson,  a  trader  among  the  Sioux • 157 

Rochester,  Minn.,  mentioned 5o 

Rock  River,  Minn.,  mentioned  387,  388 

Rocky  River,  III.,  mentioned 142, 158 

Rocque,  Augustin,  an  early  trader  among  Dakotahs  196,  245,  249 

Rolette,  Joseph.  Sr 176,193,194,199 

Rondeau,  Joseph,  a  pioneer  settler  in  St.  Paul 226 

Root,  Hon.  Joseph,  M.  C.  from  Ohio 269 

Rum  River,  Minn 134, 137 

Russell,  R.  P.,  a  pioneer  of  Minn 316 

Sacs  and  Foxes,  tribe  of 139, 140, 141, 142, 163, 164, 166, 167, 171, 254, 257, 262, 

373,  386,  387 

Saint  Anthony,  town  of 26,  27,  29,52,128,272 

Saint  Anthon y.Falls  of 3,  6,  27,  28,  29, 155, 210 

Saint  Croix  County,  Wis.  and  Minn 202,  210,  "236,  267 

Saint  Croix.  Falls  of 244,  252 

Saint  Croix  River 2,  3,  6,  99, 131, 133, 134,  153, 193,  201,  209,  210,  225,  228,  247,  252 

252,  270 

Saint  Denis,  M.  de  commander  of  Fort  in  La 10, 11 

Saint  Ignace  Island,  Lake  Superior 353 

Saint  Joseph's  river,  Ind 170 

Saint  Joseph's  river,  Mich 347 

Saint  Lawrence  river 337 

Saint  Louis,  city  of 139, 142, 144, 145, 147, 148, 149, 158, 159, 163, 196,  225,  227, 

229,  343 

Saint  Louis  river. 338 

Saint  Mary's  river 173,  345, 347 

Saint  Paul,  city  of,  mentioned  31,  51, 54, 56, 61,  62, 63, 92, 121, 122, 133,  202, 

204,  209,  211,  222,  224,  227,  228,  229,  237,  238,  245,  248,  268,  269,  272,  281,  295,  296, 
304,  310,  314,  316,  317,  318,  321,  322,  323.  325,  339,  349,  357,  363,  366,  371,  378,  382, 

398,  407 

Saint  Peter,  town  of 92,93,109,379,382,384 

Saint  Peter's  (Mendota) 159,  162 

Saint  Peter's  riYer,(or  Minn,  river) 140, 146, 148, 149, 151, 154,  157, 163, 164, 

165,  166, 172,  176,  225 

Saint  Pierre,  Legardeur  de,  a  French  officer 3 

Sample,  Rev.  R.  F.  a  Minneapolis  clergyman 57 

Sanbern,  Gen.  John  B.,  of  St.  Paul,  paper  contributed  by 57, 310 

,  mentioned 285,328 

Sand  Prairie,  Minn 250 

Saskatchewan  river,  British  North  America 341 

Sauk  Rapids,  Minn.... 235,236 

Sauks,  or  Sacs,  tribe  of 141,  142,164,167 

Sauk,warof  1832 139 

Sault  St.  Marie 166,  278,  333,  335,  336,  340,  343,  344,  346,  347,  350,  352,  354,  338 

Sauvolle,  M.  de.,  mentioned  in  Penicaod's  Ms 4 

Say,  Thos.,  the  naturalist  of  Long's  expedition 16 

Scalps,  war  parties  in  pursuit  of 137 

Scarlet  Eagle  Tail,  a  friendly  Dakota  chief 88 

Scarlet  Point,  see  Ink-pa-du-ta 

Scenery,  of  Lake  Superior 352 

Schoolcraft,  H.  R.,  his  works  quoted 17, 36, 319, 337, 338  346, 347 

Schools  and  Colleges  in  Minn 51 

Scott,  Capt.  Martin,  memoir  of 180 

Scott,  Gen.  Winfleld 78,322 

Scriptures,  translating  into  Dakota ^. 116,120 


INDEX.  429 

Sebastian,  W.  K.  ex-Sen.,  from  Ark 330 

Se-ha-ho-to,  a  Dakota  brave 395^  393^  394 

Senator,  U.  S.,  selection  of 94 

Seymour,  E.  S.,  auttior  of  work  on  Minn 19 

Shakopee,  or  Little  Six,  (the  elder,)  a  Dakota  chief 80, 113, 166, 132, 154 

Shakopee,  (the  younger) 31 

Shakopee,  town  of 123,135,136,250,365 

Shanley,  Rev.  John . . » 327 

Shea,  Dr.  Jno.  G.,  his  works  referred  to 15 

Shepherd,  (Japt 113 

Shepherd,  D.  C,  a  civil  engineer 340 

Sherman,  Gen.  Thos.  W 406 

Sherman,  Gen.  W.  T 287, 292 

Sheridan,  Gen.  Phil 288,  290,  292 

Shields,  Hon.  James,  Senator  from  Minn 48 

Sibley,  Henry  H.,  papers  and  addresses  by 68,  99, 168, 192.  242, 307, 345,  364 

sketch  of  his  life 277 

birth  and  education 278 

employed  by  American  Fur  Co 193,  278 

Dousman  persuades  him  to  come  to  Minn 194 

becomes  a  resident  of  Mendeta 195, 245, 278, 364 

becomes  partner  in  Amer.  Fur  Co 245 

his  hunting  adventures  in  early  days 184,  254 

violates  an  Indian  *'game  law" 260 

attacked  by  Sacs  and  Foxes 261 

elected  an  elder  of  the  church  at  Fort  Snelling 116 

appointed  first  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Minn : 265.  279 

boundary  changes,  and  shifting  citizenship 265 

marriage '. ,279 

selected  to  buy  site  of  St.  Paul  in  1848 245 

elected  delegate  to  Congress 270,  279 

secures  passage  of  bill  to  organize  the  Territory 279 

foreman  of  first  grand  jury  in  Dakota  Co 267 

contributions  to  the  press  referred  to 271 

elected  Governor  of  Minn 279 

appointed  Col.  to  quell  the  Indian  outbreak 279 

sketch  of  his  military  operations 126 

rescuing  captives  from  Sioux 87, 280 

becomes  a  resident  of  St.  Paul 245 

executes  38  Indian  murderers 280 

commissioned  as  Brig.  General 280 

appointed  Brevet  Maj.  General .282 

Expedition  of  1863 282 

note  on  his  personal  appearance 270 

various  references  to 104, 182, 235,  318, 319,  326, 356 

Sibley,  Solomon,  (father  of  H,  H.  S.) 277 

Sibley  County,  Minn 202 

Silver  Islet,  Lake  Superior....  : 353,355 

Silver  Ore,  on  Lake  Superior 340,355 

Simon,  or  Anywanymane,  a  friendly  Dakota 86, 89, 119, 126, 128, 190 

Simpson,Gen.  J.H.,  U.S.A •, 67 

Simpson,  the  Arctic  explorer 279 

Sioux,  the,  see  Dakotas 

Sioux  Massacre,  see  "Massacre  of  1862" • 

Sissetons,  (or  Marsh  Villagers)  tribe  of 84, 86, 250 

Sittmg  Bull,  a  Dakota  rebel 289, 290,  291, 29 


430  MINNi:SOTA  HISTORICAL  COLLECTION'S. 

Skunk  Lake 397 

Slavery  negro,  reference  to 372,  373 

Smith,  A.  C.  of  Litcbfleld.  Masonic  autlior 44 

Smith.  Robert  A. ,  of  St.  Paul 316 

Smithsonian  Institute 124.268,366 

Snake  River,  Minnesota 2 

Snyder.  Harmon,  a  Gov't,  blacksmith,  in  Iowa 233 

Snelling,  Mrs.  Abigail,  (since  Mrs.  Chaplin) < 78 

Snelling,  Col.  Josiah,  commander  at  Ft.  Snelling 77, 137, 177, 185 

Snelling,  Wm.  J.,  (son  of  (Jol.  J,)  an  author 78 

Snow  Shoes,  travelling  on 390, 391, 401 

Soldiers  Lodge,  among  the  Dakotas, 251 

Soldiers  of  Minnesota 217,  220 

Sorin,  Rev.  M.,  a  pioneer  clergyman ; ...  55 

South  Carolina '. 372 

Spencer,  Geo.  H.,  a  captive  rescued  86 

Spirit  Lake,  Iowa 386,  387,  388,  390, 391 ,  398 

Spirit  Lake  Massacre,  see  "Inkpaduta  Massacre" 

Springneld,   111 213 

Springfield,  Mmn 387, 388,  389 

Spofford,  A.  R.,  Libr'n.  of  Congress,  purchases  Fenicaud'sMS.... 2 

Spr  jat.  Col.  Ebenezer 277 

Sproat,  Miss  Sarah  W 277 

Starkey,  James,  of  St.  Paul 61,396 

State  University  of  Minnesota :  272,  350 

Steamboat,  first,  at  Ft.  Snelling , 103 

Steamboating  in  early  days 140 

Steele,  Franklin,  a  pioneer  of  Minnesota.. 248,318 

Steele,  Miss  Sarah  J.  (Mrs.  H.  H.Sibley)  279 

Steele  County,  referred  to 28 

Stevens,  Gen.  Isaac,  explorer  of  N.  P.  R,  R.  route 48 

Stevens,  Rev.  Jedediah  D.,  a  missionary 1 15,  lie 

Stevens,  Jno.  H.  a  pioneer  of  Minnesota 26,  28,  60,  274 

Stevens,  Miss  Lucy  Cornelia,  mission  teacher '. 116, 118 

Stevens  Miss,  (Mrs.Olmsted) 237 

Stillwater,  Minn.,  mentioned 209,  270,  272 

Stillwater  Convention,  the... 202 

Stone,  Ellis,  of  Bloomington,  Ind 314 

Stone,  Gen.,  U.  S.  A. 323 

Stone,  Miss  Martha.  (Mrs.  W.  A.  Gorman) 323,  324 

Strike-the-Pawnees,  a  Dakota 85 

Stuart,  Robt.  an  early  fur  trader 344,  345 

Sugar  maple,  referred  to  in  Penicaud's  MS 9 

Sumpter,  fall  of 322 

Superior,  Lake.    See  Lake  Superior 

Superior,  town  of 348 

Surgeres,  M.  de,  mentioned  by  Penicaud 4 

Surveys  of  Lake  Superior ' .  .348 

Swan  Lake,  Minn 250 

Swift,  ex-Gov.  Henry  A.,  memoir  of 91 

Synod  of  Minn ...363,371,377,382 

Sykes,  Gen.,  U.  S.  A 326 

Ta-ha-mie,  a  celebrated  Dakota  brave 150, 165 

Taliaferro,  Maj.  Lawrence,  Indian  agent  at  Ft.  Snelling 76, 130, 13J ,  359 

Tanner,  John,  Indian  captive,  referred  to 1 

Taylor,  Hon.  J.  W.,  his  works,  mentioned 32,  34,  44,  74 

Taylor,  Gen.  Zach,  U.  S.  A 212,  315 


Ta-sa-gi,  a  Wa-pe-ku-te  chief 387 

Tate-miue,  a  Dakota  Indian ;^3q 

Territory  of  Minn,  organized 269 

Territory  of  Minn.,  first  bond  issued 395 

Tetons.  tribe  of .....284.375,381 

Thatcher,  Mrs.,  a  prisoner  of  Inkpaduta's  raid 389,  397 

Theology  among  the  Dakotas 121 

Thomas,  Mr.,  builds  a  post  on  Cedar  Kiver ^ 264 

Thompson,  Benj.,  an  Indian  trader. . .  102 

Thompson,  S.,  kills  a  Sauk  Indian 143 

Thompson,  Samuel,  killed  by  the  Sauks 164 

Thunder  Bay.  Lake  Superior 351 ,  353 

Thunder-that-makes-itself  blue,  a  Dakota  man , 85 

Thurseau,  a  merchant  of  Quebec  168 

Tides,  solar  and  lunar,  on  Lake  Superior ", 348 

Tlascala,  Mexico,  battle  of 315 

To  v\  n  sites,  in  Minn 211 

Traders  of  early  days,  in  Minn 247,  339 

Translating  Dakota  books 37 

Translating  bible  into  Dakota 366, 375, 376, 382, 384 

Travels,  in  Minnesota  and  Northwest,  works  relating  to 13 

Traverse  de  Sioux,  Minn 39, 110, 121, 122, 123, 128, 247, 250, 269, 361, 374 

Transportation,  in  early  days : 140 

Treaty  ofl783 343 

Treaty  for  Micliigan ; 277 

Treaty  by  Leavenworth  in  1821 177 

Treaty  by  Cass,  1820 345 

Treaty  of  Prairie  du  Chien,  (1825) 345, 346 

Treaty  of  1826 345 

Treaty  with  Tetons,  &c.,  1825 285 

Treaty  by  Sacs  and  Foxes,  1842 .^. 386 

Treaty  of  1842  at  La  Point,  Lake  Superior 345 

Treaty  by  Winnebagoes,  1846 234 

Treaty  of  Fond  du  lac,  1847 345 

Treaty  of  Ft.  Laramie,  1851 285 

Treaty  of  Traverse  de  Sioux,  1851 : i23,  272, 362,  378,  387 

Treaty  of  1854,  (La  Pointe) 346 

Treaty  of  Ft.  Wise,  Kan.,  1861 285 

Treaty  by  Red  Cloud,  1869 287 

Treaty  of  1865 286 

Treaties  with  Sioux  of  upper  Mo 282 

Treaties  of  peace  bet.  Sioux  and  Ojibwas 76 

Trees,  in  Minnesota,  described  by  Penicaud 9 

Trempeleau,  Wis — 151 

Tumbling  Bock,  (Rolling  Stone?)  River 152 

Turkey  River,  Iowa 145, 158, 232 

Turner,  Dr.,  surgeon,  U.  S.  A 225, 251 

Turpin,  A.,  a  pioneer  of  Minnesota 225 

Tuttle,  Rev.  J.  H.  Minneapolis 219 

Utah,  exped.  against 397 

Van  Cleve,  Mrs.  Charlotte  O.,  her  reminiscences  of  Fort  Snelling 76 

Van  Cleve,  Mrs.  C.  O.,  paper  by 103 

Vandever  W.,  government  inspector 292 

Van  Ingen,  Rev.  J.  V.,  D.  D.,  referred  to 54 

Veranderie,  begins  his  discoveries  in  1728 3 

Vermillion  River,  Minn 387 

Vermont,  state  of--- 186,  231,237,239,304,308,343,344 


432  MIN^NESOTA    HISTOKICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

Verplanck  J.  A.  govt,  agent 345 

Virginia,  the  first  steamboat  at  Fort  Snelling .' . .  103 

Vose,  Maj.  Josiah  H.,  U.  S.  A 155 

Voyageurs,  their  cliaracter,&c., 169,  171,  245,  246,276,341,342,364 

Wabash  River 170 

Wabasha,  (The  Leaf,)  a  Dakota  chief..  130, 146, 151, 152, 154, 165,  235,  251,  254,318,  319 

Wabasha  Prairie,  Winona 235, 250 

Wabasha,  town  of • 118,  133,  150,196,319,365 

Wacondaw  Prairie * 141 

Wages  of  Fur  Co.  Clerks 171 

Wahkpetons  or  Leaf  Villagers 84,  99,  172,  250 

Wakpekutes,  tribe  of 174,  250,  387,  388 

Wakefield.  Mrs.  Sarah  F.,  six  weeks  in  the  Sioux  teepees 35 

Walker,  Orange,  a  pioneer  of  Minn 270 

Wam-di-sapa,  a  Dakota  outlaw 387 

War,  Minnesota  m 43 

War  of  the  fur  companies 341 

War  customs  of  the  Dakotas 135 

Warfare  of  Dakotas  and  Ojibwas 36, 129, 137, 161, 252, 361, 403 

War  of  1812 150,  174,  180,  343,  352 

War  of  secession • 43,  56,  198,  217,  294,  296,  311,  321,  322,  329 

Warren,  Gen.  G.  K.,  U.  b.  A.,  his  reports  on  the  Upper  Missisippi 33 

Warren,  Lyman,  an  early  trader 344 

Waseca  County,  Minn.,  history 28 

Washington,  City,  D.  C 217,  234,  249,  268,  271, 279,  321,  322,  323,  366 

Wasioja,  Minn *.. 51 

Watab  River,  Minn 345 

Watkins,  E.  C.  Insp.  of  Ind'n.  Agencies 290,  292 

Watonwan  River,  Minn 388,  391 

Webster,  Dan'l,  mentioned 315 

Weeks,  Helen  C,  authoress 35 

Wells,  Jas,,  an  early  trader  248 

Wentworth,  *'  Long  John,"  of  Chicago 215 

West  Point  graduates  in  the  army 181 

Wheelock,  J.  A.,  Minnesota  journalist 22,  274 

Whipple,  Com.  Abraham 277 

Whipple,  Bp.  H.  B.,  of  Minnesota 57.  89, 9o 

Whisky,  '^alled  "milk"  by  Indians 150 

Whistler,  Capt. ,  U.  S.  A 167 

White  Bustard,  or  "  L'Outard  Blanche,"  a  Dakota  chief, 154, 155, 166 

White  Earth  Agency,  Minnesota 344 

White  Fish,  legend  regarding 338 

White  Lodge,  a  Dakota 85 

White,  Peregrine,  first  white  child  born  in  Massachusetts 213 

Whiting,  Capt.  Sam, 239 

Whitney,  A.  J 316 

Whitney,  J.  D.  the  geologist 350 

Whittlesey,  Chas.,  the  geologist 22, 350 

Wilkinson,  M.  S.,  compiler  of  the  "Revised  Code"  60 

Willard,  J.  A.,  of  Mankato 28,  29 

Williams,  Rev.  E.  S.,  of  Minneapolis,  referred  to 56 

Williams,  J.  F.,  works  by 24.  62 

Williams  J.  F.,  papers  written  by 13,91,180,201,213,231,304 

Williams,  J.  F.,  footnotes  by ii,  76,  77,  79,  82, 104, 122, 141, 

149, 150,  153,  154,  160,  321,  339,  319,  361,  384 

Williamson,  And'w.  W., 383,384 

Williamson,  Miss  Jane  S., 121 


IN^DEX,  433 

Williamson,  Rev.  John  P.,  a  missionary  to  tlie  Dakotas  ....40,  41, 124, 125, 127, 

363,  379,  381,  383. 

Williamson,  Lizzie  Hunter, 383 

Williamson,  Mrs.  Marg't 36o,  367,  373 

Williamson,  Nannie, 3S3 

Williamson,  Smith  Burgess, 383 

Williams,  Thos..  (father  of  T.  S.  W.) 372 

Williamson,  Rev.  Thos.  S.,  his  historical  sermon  noticed 53 

memoir  of  Napeshneedota,  and  other  papers,..  189,  283 

memoir  of,  (Riggs) 372 

mentioned,  36,  38,  115,  116, 118, 119,  120,  124,127,  233, 

268,  346, 356, 357,  361 ,  367,  393,  395 

Williamson,  Rev.  Wm 372 

Wilson,  C.  L.,  Chicago 214 

Wilson,  Hon.  James,  of  N.  H.  (M.  C.) .^ 271 

Wilson  (Rob.  G,)D.  D.,  of  O ?. 370 

Willow  River  (Hudson),  Wis 228 

Winchell,  N.  H.,  State  Geologist  of  Minn 350 

Windom,  Wm.,  Minnesota  Congressman 49 

Winged  Prairie,  or  Prairie  aux  Ailes,  (Winona) 5, 157, 165 

Winnebagoes,  are  scientific  beggars 147 

Winnebagoes,  most  turbulent  and  dangerous  of  northwestern  savages.  197, 233, 235 

Winnebagoes,  they  gobble  food  from  hotel  tables 249 

Winnebagoes,  removed  from  Iowa  to  Minn 234 

Winnebagoes,  removed  from  Minn,  after  massacre  of  1862 242 

Winnebagoes,  other  references 167, 174, 197,  233, 234, 248,  264, 373, 403 

Winnipeg,  rebellion  at 32 

Winona,  Minn 5,  26,  27,  43, 52,  150, 157. 165,  235.  237,  239,  250 

Wisconsin,  State  of 192.  196,  198,  232,  265,  270,  279,  280 

Wisconsin  Histl.  Society  mentioned 139 

Wisconsin  River 5, 146, 147 

Wolfe,  Gen 168,  343 

Women,  how  treated  by  the  Dakotas .89, 118, 188, 189 

Wood,  Mrs.  Martha  B.  (daughter  of  ex-Gov.  Gorman) 324 

Wood,  Wm 387,  389 

Wood,  Maj.,  U.  S.  A.  his  report 19 

Wood  Lake,  Minn 126, 280 

Wood  Lake,  battle  of lOi 

Wood  River 146 

Wyoming  Territory 287,  290, 292 

Wright  County,  history  of 27 

X.  Y.  Fur  Company 340 

Yale  College 373 

Yanktons,  tribe  of 137, 171, 174,  284,  285,  397,  398,  400 

Yellow  Medicine,  or  Pajutazi-zi,  Minn....  112, 123, 124, 125,  269, 284,  318,  378,  382, 396 

Yellow  Medicine,  agency  at 393, 396,  397, 398 

Yellow  Medicine  River 888,  402, 403,  404,  407 

Yellow  Stone  River 286,  288 

Zit-kah-doo-tah,  or  Red  Bird,  a  Dakota 99 

Zombro,  (or  Driftwood)  River,  Minn 152 


F 

601 
M66 
V.3 


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